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

'investigare' changed through Late Latin and Old French (e.g. 'investiguer'), entered Middle English as forms like 'investigaten', and eventually became the modern English 'investigate'.

Initially it meant 'to track or trace' (literally to follow tracks); over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to examine, inquire into, or probe to discover facts'.