mercerizeEtymologyFrom Mercer + -ize, named after John Mercer of Great Harwood, Lancashire, who invented the process in the mid-19th century.mercerize means to treat (cotton fabric) with sodium hydroxide to make it more lustrous and accepting of dyes. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 87 out of 100.verbTo treat (cotton fabric) with sodium hydroxide to make it more lustrous and accepting of dyes.