'scrutinize' originates from French (scrutiniser) and ultimately from Late Latin 'scrutinium', where 'scrutari' meant 'to search, to examine'.

'scrutinium' (Late Latin) passed into Old/Middle French as 'scrutiniser' and later entered English as 'scrutinize' in the late 16th to 17th century.

Initially it meant 'to search or examine (often sift through or ransack)', and over time it evolved into the current meaning 'to examine closely and critically'.