'anaesthetize' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anaisthēsia,' where 'an-' meant 'without' and 'aisthēsis' meant 'sensation.'

'anaisthēsia' was adopted into Latin as 'anaesthesia,' then into French as 'anesthésie,' and eventually became the modern English word 'anaesthetize.'

Initially, it meant 'to make insensible or without feeling,' and over time it evolved into its current medical meaning of 'to render insensible to pain, especially by the use of anaesthetics.'