'rebaptization' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from the prefix 're-' and the word 'baptize', where 're-' meant 'again' and 'baptize' derived from Greek 'baptizein' meaning 'to dip or immerse'.

'baptize' entered English via Old French 'baptiser' and Latin forms from Greek 'baptizein'; the noun 'rebaptization' developed in English by adding the prefix 're-' to 'baptization' to indicate repetition.

Initially the Greek root meant 'to dip or immerse', but over time in English it evolved into the specific religious sense of 'to baptize', and 'rebaptization' now means 'the act of baptizing again'.