'aromatise' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'arōma', where 'arōma' meant 'spice' or 'pleasant smell'.

'aromatise' changed from Late Latin/French forms such as 'aromatizare' / 'aromatiser' (and their derivatives) and entered English with the suffix '-ise' (in British spelling), becoming the modern English verb 'aromatise'.

Initially it referred more to the noun sense of 'a sweet-smelling substance' ('arōma'), but over time the verb form evolved to mean 'to give a pleasant smell' or 'to add aroma'.