'shrimp-like' originates from English, specifically a compound of the noun 'shrimp' and the suffix '-like', where 'shrimp' traces to Old English 'scrimpa' and '-like' comes from Old English 'lic' meaning 'having the form of'.

'shrimp' changed from Old English 'scrimpa' to Middle English 'shrimp(e)'; the adjectival suffix '-lic' later became modern English '-like', and the compound form evolved into modern 'shrimp-like'.

Initially 'shrimp' referred to the small crustacean (and had senses related to being shriveled or small); combined with '-like' it has meant 'resembling a shrimp' and has retained that descriptive sense into modern usage.