'autolyze' originates from Greek/Modern Latin influence, specifically the word 'autolysis', where 'auto-' meant 'self' and 'lysis' (from Greek 'lyein') meant 'loosening' or 'dissolution'.

'autolyze' changed from New Latin/Modern Greek 'autolysis' (used in scientific/medical contexts) and entered English in the 19th century as 'autolysis' (noun) and then with the verb-form 'autolyze' (or UK spelling 'autolyse').

Initially, the element referred to 'self-dissolution' in a literal chemical/biological sense, and it has retained that technical meaning in modern usage referring to self-digestion by enzymes.