'baronetise' originates from English, specifically from the noun 'baronet' (itself from Old French 'baronet', a diminutive of 'baron') combined with the verb-forming suffix '-ise' (or '-ize'), where '-ise' meant 'to make or render'.

'baronet' changed from Old French 'baronet' (a diminutive of 'baron') into Middle English forms such as 'baronette' and eventually became the modern English noun 'baronet'; the verb 'baronetise' was later formed in English by adding '-ise' to that noun, and 'baronetising' is the present participle form.

Initially it meant 'little baron' as a diminutive term, but over time it evolved into a specific hereditary title in the British honours system; the verb evolved to mean 'to confer that title'.