'atropinization' originates from Modern English, formed by combining 'atropine' and the suffix '-ization' (from Greek/Latin-derived '-ize' + '-ation'); 'atropine' refers to the belladonna alkaloid 'atropine'.

'atropine' entered scientific Latin/Modern English from New Latin 'Atropina', ultimately named after the plant genus 'Atropa' (named for Atropos, one of the Greek Fates). The modern English formation 'atropinization' developed by adding the verbalizer '-ize' and nominalizing suffix '-ation' to denote the process related to atropine.

Initially, related terms referred specifically to the alkaloid 'atropine' (the substance from Atropa belladonna); over time the derived noun 'atropinization' has come to mean the medical/pharmacological act or state produced by administering atropine.