Noah Webster
Moralize
MOR'ALIZE, verb transitive
1. To apply to a moral purpose, or to explain in a moral sense.
This fable is moralized in a common proverb.
Did he not moralize this spectacle?
2. To furnish with manners or examples.
3. To render moral or virtuous; to correct the morals of.
It had a large share in moralizing the poor white people of the country.
[This sense, though the most strictly etymological, is rare, or to make moral reflections.
MOR'ALIZE, verb intransitive To speak or write on moral subjects, or to make moral reflections.