doglike

The compound "doglike" is a transparent English formation. The first element, "dog," is a common Germanic word of obscure origin, replacing the earlier Old English hund. The second element, "-like," is a native English suffix derived from the Old English noun līc (body, form) and the related adjective suffix -līc. When combined, the literal meaning is "having the form or characteristics of a dog." This straightforward compounding process is highly productive in English, allowing for the creation of descriptive adjectives that directly compare a subject's qualities to those of the named noun.

Structure: dog (canine animal) + like (having the characteristics of) - dog: From Old English docga, a late, rare word for a powerful breed of canine. Its ultimate origin is unknown. - like: From Old English līc meaning "body, form" and the suffix -līc meaning "having the form of". It is related to the German suffix -lich.