'balsamize' originates from Latin and Greek, specifically from Latin 'balsamum' (from Greek 'balsamon'), where the root referred to an 'aromatic resin' used for perfume and medicinal purposes.

'balsamum' in Latin came from Greek 'balsamon' and earlier Semitic forms (e.g. Hebrew 'bəšem' or Proto-Semitic *bšm) meaning 'spice' or 'aromatic substance'; from these nouns English developed 'balsam' and then the verb-forming suffix produced 'balsamize.'

Initially it referred to the aromatic resin itself ('aromatic resin' or 'perfume'), and over time a verb form developed meaning 'to apply or treat with that resin' — the current sense of 'to coat or preserve with balsam.'