'enquiry' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'inquirere', where 'in-' meant 'into, toward' and 'quaerere' meant 'to seek or ask'.

'inquirere' changed into Old French (enquerre/enquerre) and Middle English forms such as 'enqueren', and eventually became the modern English words 'enquire' and 'enquiry'.

Initially it meant 'to search or seek'; over time it evolved into the current sense of 'ask for information' or 'conduct a formal investigation'.