'humanize' originates from French, specifically the word 'humaniser', ultimately from Latin 'humanus', where 'human-' meant 'human' and the suffix '-ize' meant 'to make or to render'.

'humanize' changed from French 'humaniser' (and Late Latin 'humanizare') and eventually became the modern English word 'humanize' in the 18th century.

Initially it meant 'to make human or give human characteristics', but over time it broadened to include 'to make humane' (to reduce cruelty) and more general senses of rendering something more human or compassionate.