'autolyze' originates from Greek via scientific New Latin/Modern usage, specifically from Greek 'autolysis', where 'auto-' meant 'self' and 'lysis' meant 'loosening, dissolution'.

'autolyze' changed from the Greek noun 'autolysis' (αὐτο- 'self' + λύσις 'loosening, dissolution') and was adopted into scientific vocabulary (New Latin/Modern usage) before the English verb form 'autolyze' was formed in the 19th century.

Initially it meant 'self-dissolution' in a general sense, but over time it evolved into the more specific modern sense 'self-digestion or enzymatic breakdown of cells or tissues'.