'autoxidize' originates from the combining form 'auto-' (from Greek 'autos', meaning 'self') plus 'oxidize' (from Modern Latin/English 'oxide' + '-ize'), so the sense is 'to oxidize by itself'.

'oxidize' comes via Modern Latin and French from Greek elements related to 'oxys' (ὀξύς) meaning 'sharp' or 'acid', and the verb-forming suffix '-ize'; 'auto-' (Greek 'autos') was attached in modern scientific English to form 'autoxidize' meaning self-oxidation.

Initially, related words referred simply to forming an oxide; over time the compound 'autoxidize' came to specify spontaneous oxidation by atmospheric oxygen (self-oxidation), often used in chemistry and materials science.