First dated to 1771.[1] Usage became established in the Edo area, then spread to the Kansai region in the late 1700s.[1]
With the softening effect of particle え(e), the sense was originally somewhat less gruff than using just ぞ(zo). However, in modern usage, this is now generally considered more gruff than ぞ(zo), and usage is restricted to informal masculine speech, either between members of the same group and status, or by a social superior to an inferior.[1][2]
Similar to ぞ(zo), ぜ is mostly used by males. However, unlike ぞ, ぜ is strictly informal register, and can be considered highly impolite if used outside of a casual setting.
When used with polite-register forms like です(desu) and the ます(masu) verb ending, this may imply sarcasm, contempt, or threat.[1][2]