'annalise' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'annales', where the root 'annus' meant 'year'.

'annalise' developed in Modern English as a verb formed from the noun 'annal'/'annals' (from Old French and Latin 'annales'); the verb was created by adding the verbalizing suffix '-ize'/'-ise' to the noun.

Initially related to 'annals' meaning 'yearly records', it evolved into the verbal sense 'to record in annals' or more generally 'to chronicle'.