Cauponize is a rare and somewhat archaic word that means "to turn an inn into a brothel". The spelling of the word is unusual, and can be a challenge for those unfamiliar with it. It is pronounced /kɔːpənaɪz/, with the stress on the second syllable. The "au" in the first syllable is pronounced like the "aw" sound in "saw", and the "i" in the second syllable is pronounced like the "eye" sound in "eye".
The word "cauponize" is derived from the Latin verb "cauponari", which means to trade, to engage in business, or to haggle. This Latin term itself comes from the noun "caupo", meaning a merchant or a trader. Over time, the verb "cauponari" developed into "cauponizare" in Late Latin, and eventually evolved into "cauponize" in English. The word is generally used in a figurative sense to mean cheating, deceiving, or engaging in fraudulent practices for personal gain.