1824, "modify a living thing to suit a foreign climate" (transitive); see acclimate + -ize. A more recent formation than acclimate and generally replacing it in this sense. Related: Acclimatized; acclimatizing. Simple climatize is attested from 1826 as "inure (a living thing) to a climate."

1792, "habituate (something) to a new climate," from French acclimater, verb formed from à "to" (see ad-) + climat (see climate). Intransitive sense "adapt to a new climate" is from 1861. Related: Acclimated; acclimating. The extended form acclimatize is now more common in the older sense of this word (generally in reference to plants or animals), leaving to this word the intransitive sense, which more often refers to humans.

1550s, "admit (an alien) to rights of a citizen" (implied in naturalized), from natural (adj.) in its etymological sense of "by birth" + -ize. In some instances from French naturaliser. Of words or expressions, "adopt as native or vernacular," 1590s. Of plants or animals, "introduce and acclimatize in places or situations where they are not indigenous," by 1708. Related: Naturalizing.