'investigate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'investigare,' where 'in-' meant 'in' and 'vestigare' meant 'to track or trace.'

'investigare' transformed into the French word 'investiguer,' and eventually became the modern English word 'investigate' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to track or trace,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to examine or inquire into systematically.'