WordWeb Online

1. (historical linguistics) an explanation of the historical origins of a word or phrase
   - deriving, derivation

1. Give the etymology, derivation or suggest an etymology (for a word)
   "The linguist probably etymologized the words incorrectly"; "Although he is not trained in this, his hobby is etymologizing";
   - etymologise [Brit]
    
2. (linguistics) construct the history of words
   - etymologise [Brit]

Type of: account, construct, derive, educe [formal], explanation, reconstruct, retrace