'virilize' originates from Latin, specifically the adjective 'virilis' (from 'vir'), where 'vir' meant 'man' and 'virilis' meant 'manly'; the English verb was formed by adding the productive suffix '-ize' to produce 'virilize' and related forms like 'virilizing'.

'virilize' was formed in English (19th–20th centuries) from Latin 'virilis' plus the verb‑forming suffix '-ize'; from this formation came the modern English derivative 'virilizing'.

Initially, the Latin root meant 'manly' or 'of a man'; over time the English verb evolved to mean 'to make masculine' or 'to produce male characteristics', which is the current sense.