'arabize' originates from English, specifically formed from the word 'Arabic' plus the verb-forming suffix '-ize' (from Greek '-izein' via Latin and French), where 'Arabic' referred to 'of Arabia' and '-ize' meant 'to make or to render'.

'arabize' developed from the adjective 'Arabic' (from Latin 'Arabicus' and Greek 'Arabikos', ultimately from Arabic 'ʿarab' meaning 'Arab'), with the productive English suffix '-ize' attached; the combination produced the verb 'arabize' in Modern English.

Initially it meant 'to make something Arabic or of Arabia' (in language, script, style, or cultural character), and over time this basic meaning has remained largely the same in modern usage.