To treat or preserve something with balsam, or to give something the qualities of balsam such as soothing or healing properties.
From 'balsam' plus the verb suffix '-ize' (to make or treat with), appearing in medical and pharmaceutical texts, possibly influenced by French 'balsamer.'
Balsamize is essentially what ancient embalmers did—they used aromatic balsams to preserve bodies, which is why 'balm' and 'balsam' are connected to both soothing AND the preservation of the dead, creating a strange linguistic connection between comfort and mortality.
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