Late 16th century (in an earlier sense). From polity + -ize. Compare post-classical Latin politizare to have a constitution, to practise statecraft, Middle French politiser (of a political entity, e.g. a city) to govern, French politiser to educate (a person) in politics, to politicize (an issue), German politisieren to talk about politics, to educate (a person) in politics, to make (a person) politically aware.