'dehumanise' originates from Modern English, formed from the prefix 'de-' (from Latin 'de-' meaning 'remove' or 'reverse') + the root 'human' (from Latin 'humanus' meaning 'human') + the verb-forming suffix '-ise' (from French '-iser').

'dehumanise' developed via French 'déshumaniser' and the English variant 'dehumanize'; the element 'human' ultimately comes from Latin 'humanus', and the composite verb entered English as modern formations in the 19th century.

Initially, it meant 'to remove or deny human qualities', and over time it has retained this core meaning, now commonly used in social, political, and ethical contexts to describe actions or rhetoric that strip people of dignity.