'verse-like' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from 'verse' and the adjectival suffix '-like'. 'verse' ultimately comes from Latin 'versus', where the root 'vertere' meant 'to turn', and the suffix '-like' comes from Old English 'lic' meaning 'body, form' and later 'similar to'.

'verse-like' developed by combining Middle English 'verse' (from Old French 'vers', from Latin 'versus') with the Old English-derived suffix '-like'; over time this combination produced the modern compound adjective 'verse-like'.

Initially, 'verse' referred to a 'line' or 'a turning' (from Latin 'versus'), but in compounds like 'verse-like' the meaning shifted to 'resembling poetic form or qualities'.