'catalyzer' originates from Modern English, specifically from the verb 'catalyze', which ultimately derives from Greek 'katalysis', where 'kata-' meant 'down' and 'lysis' (from 'lyein') meant 'to loosen'.

'catalyze' was coined in the 19th century from the noun 'catalysis' (used in New/Modern Latin scientific contexts), itself borrowed from Greek 'katalysis'; the agent-form 'catalyzer' (also spelled 'catalyser') developed in English by adding the agentive suffix '-er' to the verb.

Initially the Greek root referred to 'dissolution' or 'loosening', but in scientific usage it came to mean 'an agent that accelerates a reaction without being consumed'; later the sense broadened figuratively to 'an agent that precipitates or speeds change'.