'antisepticize' originates from Modern English formation, specifically from the adjective 'antiseptic' plus the verb-forming suffix '-ize', where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'septic' (from Greek 'sēptikos') meant 'putrefaction' or 'infection', and the suffix '-ize' meant 'to make or to cause to be'.

'antisepticize' was formed in English in the late 19th century by combining 'antiseptic' (a mid-19th century coinage from Greek via New Latin/French) with the productive English suffix '-ize' (from Greek -izein via Latin/French), following verb formations such as 'sterilize' and 'sanitize'.

Initially the roots referred to preventing putrefaction or infection; over time the verb 'antisepticize' has come to mean 'to make free from germs' or 'to apply antiseptic treatment', a meaning that matches its modern medical and hygienic use.