'vertebrate-like' originates from Modern English, specifically the combination of 'vertebrate' + the suffix '-like', where 'vertebrate' meant 'having a backbone' and '-like' meant 'characteristic of'.

'vertebrate' changed from Latin 'vertebra' (meaning 'joint of the spine') through Medieval/Scientific Latin forms into the Modern English 'vertebrate'; the suffix '-like' derives from Old English 'līc' (meaning 'body, appearance') and developed into the adjectival '-like' in Middle and Modern English, producing the compound 'vertebrate-like' in modern usage.

Initially, 'vertebra' referred to a 'joint of the spine' and 'vertebrate' denoted animals with a backbone; over time the compound 'vertebrate-like' came to be used to mean 'resembling or having characteristics of vertebrates'.