'alkalize' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'al-qalī,' where 'al-' meant 'the' and 'qalī' meant 'ashes of the saltwort plant.'

'al-qalī' transformed into the Medieval Latin word 'alkali,' and eventually became the modern English word 'alkalize' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to make something alkaline,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.