'magnetize' originates from Modern Latin/Neo-Latin, specifically the form 'magnetizare' (or French 'magnétiser'), ultimately from Greek 'magnētis' (μαγνήτης), meaning 'Magnesian stone' (a kind of lodestone).

'magnetize' changed from Greek 'magnētis' to Latin/Medieval forms and later to French 'magnétiser' and Neo-Latin 'magnetizare,' eventually entering English as 'magnetize' in scientific usage; the present participle form 'magnetizing' developed by regular English suffixation.

Initially, it meant 'to impart magnetic properties to something' (a literal, scientific sense), but over time it also developed a figurative sense of 'to attract or fascinate strongly.'