'lobster-like' originates from English, specifically formed from the noun 'lobster' and the adjectival suffix '-like', where 'lobster' comes from Middle English 'loberster' and '-like' comes from Old English 'līc' meaning 'body' or 'form'.

'lobster' changed from Middle English word 'loberster' (and earlier Old English forms such as 'loppestre') and eventually became the modern English 'lobster'; the suffix '-like' derives from Old English 'līc' and evolved into the Modern English productive suffix '-like' used to mean 'having the form or characteristics of'.

Initially it meant 'having the body or form of a lobster' (via 'lobster' + 'body/form' suffix), and over time it has come to mean more generally 'resembling or characteristic of a lobster' in appearance or behavior.