'vine-like' originates from English, formed from 'vine' and the suffix '-like,' where 'vine' meant 'grape plant; climbing plant' and '-like' meant 'similar to; resembling.'

'vine' entered Middle English from Old French 'vigne,' ultimately from Latin 'vinea' ('vineyard; vine'), while the adjectival suffix '-like' comes from Old English '-līc' (becoming Middle/Modern English '-like'). These elements combined in Modern English to form 'vine-like.'

Initially, it meant 'similar to a vine' in a literal sense, and it has largely retained this meaning, extending to figurative uses for twisting or winding patterns or movements.