1. give the etymology or derivation or suggest an etymology (for a word) - The linguist probably etymologized the words incorrectly - Although he is not trained in this, his hobby is etymologizing • Syn: etymologize • Derivationally related forms: etymology (for: etymologize) • Hypernyms: derive, educe • Verb Frames: - Somebody ----s - Somebody ----s something 2. construct the history of words • Syn: etymologize • Derivationally related forms: etymology (for: etymologize), etymologizing (for: etymologize) • Topics: linguistics • Hypernyms: reconstruct, construct, retrace • Verb Frames: - Somebody ----s