'inspect' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'inspectare' (frequentative of 'inspicere'), where 'in-' meant 'in/into' and 'specere' meant 'to look'.

'inspect' changed from Latin 'inspicere'/'inspectare' into Old French forms (e.g. 'inspecter') and entered Middle English as 'inspecten' before becoming the modern English 'inspect'.

Initially, it meant 'to look into or look at closely,' and over time it has retained that core idea while extending to formal examinations and audits in official contexts.