'powderize' originates from English, formed by adding the verb-forming suffix '-ize' to the noun 'powder' (the suffix '-ize' ultimately from Greek '-izein' via Latin and French).

'powder' changed from Old French 'poudre' (itself from Latin 'pulvis') and entered Middle English as 'powder'; later modern English formed the verb 'powderize' by combining 'powder' + '-ize'.

Initially, the root word referred to 'dust' or 'broken-up particles' (from Latin 'pulvis'); over time the derived verb 'powderize' came to mean specifically 'to reduce into powder' or 'to pulverize'.