'decentralizer' originates from English, specifically the word 'decentralize' with the agentive suffix '-er', where the prefix 'de-' meant 'away from' and 'central' related to 'center'.

'decentralizer' developed from 'decentralize' (formed in modern English from French/Latin-informed elements). 'Decentralize' itself was modeled on 'centralize' (from French 'centraliser'), which came ultimately from Latin 'centrum' via Greek 'kentron'.

Initially the parts meant 'away from the center' (literal), but over time the term has come to denote agents or things that shift authority, functions, or control away from a central authority in political, administrative, or technical senses.