'patriarchalize' originates from Modern English, formed by adding the verb-forming suffix '-ize' to 'patriarchal', where 'patriarchal' derives from Late Latin 'patriarchalis' and ultimately from Greek 'patriarchēs' (πατριάρχης), in which 'patria' meant 'father' and 'archēs' meant 'ruler'.

'patriarchalize' changed from the adjective 'patriarchal' (from Late Latin 'patriarchalis', via Medieval/Modern Latin and Old French influences) with the productive English suffix '-ize' to create a verb meaning 'to make X patriarchal'; the compound formation is therefore a relatively recent English development based on older Greek/Latin roots.

Initially the root 'patriarchēs' meant 'chief of a family' or 'father-ruler'; over time the components led to words for 'rule or authority by fathers' and the modern verb evolved to mean 'to make or render something governed by male/father-centric authority'.