'Americanise' originates from Modern English, formed from 'American' + the verb-forming suffix '-ise', where 'American' relates to 'America' (the place name) and '-ise' means 'to make or become'.

'American' itself comes from the name 'America', which is derived from the Latinized form of the explorer Amerigo Vespucci's given name ('Americus'). The verb 'Americanise' was formed in English by adding the suffix '-ise' to 'American' (19th century usage became common).

Initially, it meant 'to make or become like things associated with America (people, customs, language)', and over time it has retained that core meaning, often used for cultural, linguistic, or stylistic change.