'automatize' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'automatos' meaning 'self-acting' or 'self-moving', combined with the English verb-forming suffix '-ize' (via Latin/French influence).

'automatos' (Greek) passed into Late Latin/French forms and, with the addition of the suffix '-ize', entered English as 'automatize' and later produced derived forms such as 'automatized'.

Initially, the Greek root meant 'self-acting' or 'self-moving'; over time, with the suffix '-ize', it evolved into the English verb meaning 'to make something operate by itself' and the adjective meaning 'made automatic'.