Pasteurize
/ˈpæs.tʃə.raɪz/noun
To heat a food or drink to kill harmful microorganisms and reduce spoilage.
Did you know?The word was coined in the 1880s from Louis Pasteur’s name after his germ theory work showed that controlled heating could prevent fermentation and disease.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Rome
Latin
pastor
“shepherd”
Old French
Old French
pasteur
“shepherd; later, pastor”
19th Century
French
pasteuriser
“to treat by heating, named after Louis Pasteur”
Late 19th Century
English
pasteurize
“to heat liquids to reduce spoilage and kill harmful microbes”
Modern English
English
pasteurize
“to subject to pasteurization”