INVESTIGATION
investigation, investigating
(noun) the work of inquiring into something thoroughly and systematically
probe, investigation
(noun) an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities; “there was a congressional probe into the scandal”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
investigation (countable and uncountable, plural investigations)
The act of investigating; the process of inquiring into or following up; research, especially patient or thorough inquiry or examination
Source: Wiktionary
In*ves`ti*ga"tion, n. Etym: [L. investigatio: cf. F. investigation.]
Definition: The act of investigating; the process of inquiring into or
following up; research; study; inquiry, esp. patient or thorough
inquiry or examination; as, the investigations of the philosopher and
the mathematician; the investigations of the judge, the moralist.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition