'wood-like' originates from the English word 'wood' combined with the suffix '-like', where 'wood' refers to the hard, fibrous material forming the trunk and branches of a tree, and '-like' means 'resembling or similar to'.

'wood' from Old English 'wudu', and '-like' from Old English 'lic', meaning 'having the form of'.

Initially, it meant 'resembling wood in appearance or texture', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.