'asbestinize' originates from Modern English, formed from 'asbestos' + the productive suffix '-ize', where 'asbestos' ultimately comes from Greek 'asbestos' meaning 'inextinguishable' and the suffix '-ize' derives from Greek '-izein' meaning 'to make or to render'.

'asbestos' passed from Greek 'asbestos' into Late Latin/Medieval Latin as 'asbestus' and into Middle English before becoming modern English 'asbestos'; the suffix '-ize' came into English via Latin and Old French from Greek and was attached in Modern English to form verbs such as 'asbestinize'.

Initially it meant 'to make like or to treat with asbestos', and over time the basic sense of 'to coat or render noncombustible by asbestos' has been retained, though the term is rare and largely technical or historical.