The Spanish verb 'encarnar' comes from the Latin word 'incarnare', meaning 'to become flesh'. The Latin word itself was formed by combining two elements: the prefix 'in-' meaning 'in, into' and the noun 'caro' meaning 'flesh'. This combination created the literal meaning of 'to put into flesh' or 'to embody in flesh', which evolved into the modern Spanish meaning of 'to embody' or 'incarnate'.

The development from Latin to Spanish shows a typical sound change where the Latin prefix 'in-' became 'en-' in Spanish, while maintaining the same basic meaning and concept of embodiment or manifestation in physical form.

Some related Spanish words include 'carne' (meat), which comes directly from the Latin 'caro', and 'carnoso' (fleshy). These words share the same root relating to flesh or meat. Another related word is 'encarnación' (incarnation), which is the noun form of 'encarnar'.

English speakers might recognize the connection to words like 'incarnate', 'incarnation', and 'carnal', all of which share the same Latin roots. 'Incarnate' is particularly close in both meaning and etymology to 'encarnar', as both describe the process of embodying or taking on physical form. The word 'carnivore' (meat-eater) also contains the same Latin root 'caro' (flesh).