'de-europenize' originates from Modern English, formed by the prefix 'de-' (from Latin 'de-' meaning 'remove' or 'reverse'), the adjective/noun 'European' (from 'Europe'), and the verb-forming suffix '-ize' (from Greek/Latin via French meaning 'to make' or 'to cause to be').

'de-europenize' is derived by back-formation from 'Europeanize' (see 'Europeanize'), where 'Europeanize' itself developed in Modern English by adding the suffix '-ize' to 'European' (from 'Europe', ultimately from Greek 'Europa'). The negative/reversing prefix 'de-' was attached in recent English usage to indicate reversal or removal.

Initially, components like 'de-' simply indicated 'down' or 'from'; over time in English compounding it has come to indicate reversal or removal, so the combined term now specifically means 'to remove or reverse the Europeanizing influence.'