'arabize' originates from English, formed by combining 'Arab' and the productive suffix '-ize' (from French/Latin/Greek suffixes meaning 'to make' or 'to become'), where 'Arab' referred to a person or things related to Arabia and '-ize' meant 'to make or to render'.

'Arab' entered English via Old French 'Arabe' and Latin 'Arabs', ultimately from Arabic 'ʿArab'. The verb-forming suffix '-ize' comes from Greek '-izein' through Latin and French. These elements combined in Modern English to form 'arabize' (also seen as British 'arabise').

Initially it meant 'to make something Arabic or render it in Arabic (language or script)'; over time the meaning has remained largely the same while also extending to cultural senses of 'making or adapting to Arab ways.'