'discretize' originates from Modern English word 'discrete' with the productive verb-forming suffix '-ize' (from Greek/Latin via French), where 'discrete' comes from Latin 'discretus' meaning 'separated'.

'discretize' was formed in English by adding '-ize' to Middle/Modern English 'discrete' (from Old French/Latin). 'discrete' itself derives from Latin 'discretus' (past participle of 'discernere'), and the verb-forming suffix '-ize' comes via Old French and Greek '-izein', producing the modern English 'discretize'.

Originally, the Latin root meant 'separated' or 'distinguished'; over time English formed 'discrete' with the sense 'separate, distinct', and 'discretize' developed to mean specifically 'make or represent as discrete' (especially in technical contexts).