DIPHTHONGIZE
diphthongize, diphthongise
(verb) change from a simple vowel to a diphthong; “This vowel diphthongized in Germanic”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Verb
diphthongize (third-person singular simple present diphthongizes, present participle diphthongizing, simple past and past participle diphthongized)
(transitive, phonetics) To change to a diphthong, as by inserting or removing a vowel.
Coordinate term: monophthongize
(intransitive, phonetics) To become a diphthong.
Source: Wiktionary
Diph"thong*ize, v. t. & i.
Definition: To change into a diphthong, as by affixing another vowel to a
simple vowel. "The diphthongized long vowels." H. Sweet.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition