'anthologise' originates from English, formed from the noun 'anthology' plus the verb-forming suffix '-ise'. The noun 'anthology' ultimately derives from Greek 'anthologia', where 'anthos' meant 'flower' and 'legein' (via a compound) meant 'to gather'.

'anthologise' was created in modern English by back-formation from 'anthology' (from Middle English/modern borrowing 'anthologie'), and parallels the alternative US-form 'anthologize'. 'Anthology' itself came into English from Late Latin/Old French 'anthologie', which in turn came from Greek 'anthologia'.

Originally 'anthologia' literally meant 'a gathering of flowers'; by metaphor it came to mean 'a collection of literary pieces' ('anthology'), and the verb 'anthologise' developed to mean 'to compile or include works in such a collection'.