'Arabize' originates from Modern English, specifically a formation from the noun 'Arab' plus the suffix '-ize', where 'Arab' meant 'a person (or people) of Arabia' and '-ize' meant 'to make or to render'.

'Arabize' developed by combining the word 'Arab' (ultimately from Arabic 'ʿarab', passed into Greek as 'Arábēs' and Latin as 'Arabes') with the productive English suffix '-ize' (from Greek '-izein' via Latin/French), resulting in the modern verb 'Arabize'.

Initially it meant 'to make or render something Arab or into Arabic', and over time it has retained that core sense while also extending to cultural or institutional adaptation.