'alcoholise' originates from the word 'alcohol,' which comes from the Arabic word 'al-kuḥl,' meaning 'the kohl.'

'al-kuḥl' transformed into the Medieval Latin word 'alcohol,' and eventually became the modern English word 'alcoholise' through the addition of the suffix '-ise.'

Initially, it referred to the process of treating with alcohol, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.