Recorded since circa 1510, a back-formation from investigation, from Latin investīgātiō, from investīgātus, the past participle of investigare, equivalent to in- + vestigate.

• IPA: [ɪn.ˈvɛs.tɪ.ɡeɪ̯t]

investigate (investigates, present participle investigating; simple past and past participle investigated)

1. (transitive) To inquire into or study in order to ascertain facts or information.

   to investigate the causes of natural phenomena

2. (transitive) To examine, look into, or scrutinize in order to discover something hidden or secret.

   to investigate an unsolved murder

3. (intransitive) To conduct an inquiry or examination.
   • 1903, Jack London, The Shadow and the Flash:

     "Why don't you investigate?" he demanded. And investigate I did.

• underseek

• investigability
• investigable
• investigation
• investigational

• investigative
• investigator
• investigatory

• French: étudier
• German: untersuchen, erforschen, recherchieren
• Italian: investigare, indagare
• Portuguese: investigar
• Russian: иссле́довать
• Spanish: investigar, pesquisar, indagar

• French: enquêter
• German: untersuchen
• Italian: investigare
• Portuguese: investigar, examinar
• Russian: рассле́довать
• Spanish: examinar, investigar, indagar

• French: enquêter
• German: ermitteln
• Italian: investigare, indagare
• Portuguese: investigar
• Russian: рассле́довать
• Spanish: pesquisar, investigar