Fossilize (verb)

1. To turn into a fossil, or to preserve something in a fossilized state.
2. To preserve something in a fossilized state, especially by the replacement of organic matter with minerals.

Origin:

From fossil (noun) meaning the remains or impression of an organism that lived in the past, it means to turn into a fossil, or to preserve something in a fossilized state.

Examples:

1. The bones of the dinosaurs fossilized over millions of years.
2. The footprints were fossilized in the rock.
3. The plant was fossilized in the amber.
4. The animal was fossilized in the tar pit.
5. The shells of the mollusks fossilized on the beach.