initialize

Short definition from Wiktionary

Verb

1. 1
   To assign initial values to something.
2. 2
   To assign an initial value to a variable.
3. 3
   To format a storage medium prior to use.
4. 4
   To prepare any hardware (such as a printer or scanner) for use.
5. 5
   To reduce (a phrase) to an initialism, or a word to its initial.