'vitalize' originates from French, specifically the word 'vitaliser', where the element 'vital-' comes from Latin 'vitalis' (from 'vita') meaning 'of life'.

'vitalis' in Latin produced French 'vitaliser'; from French and neo-Latin formations the English verb 'vitalize' emerged in the 19th century meaning 'to make vital'.

Initially connected to the adjective sense 'of life' (from 'vital'); over time it developed the verbal sense 'to give life or energy', now used broadly for enlivening or energizing persons, places, or things.