'occidentalize' originates from Late Latin, specifically the adjective 'occidentalis' (from Latin 'occidens'), where 'occid-'/ 'occidere' meant 'to fall, to set' (as the sun) and 'occidens' meant 'west.'

'occidentalize' developed in English by adding the verb-forming suffix '-ize' to 'occidental' (borrowed from Late Latin/French 'occidental'), evolving from Latin 'occidens' → Late Latin 'occidentalis' → French/English 'occidental' + '-ize'.

Initially related to 'the west' or 'western' (as an adjective), it evolved into the verb meaning 'to make or become Western'—i.e., to render something Western in character.