'tropicalize' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from the adjective 'tropical' + the productive verb-forming suffix '-ize'; 'tropical' ultimately comes from Greek 'tropikos' (from 'tropos') where 'tropos' meant 'turn', and the suffix '-ize' comes from Greek '-izein' via Latin/Old French meaning 'to make or to become'.

'tropicalize' was formed in English by adding the suffix '-ize' to 'tropical' (itself from Late Latin/Old French adaptations of Greek 'tropikos'), producing the Modern English verb 'tropicalize'.

The roots originally related to 'turn' ('tropos') and were used in words describing the tropics; over time the formation 'tropicalize' came to mean specifically 'to make suitable for or to give the character of the tropics'.