Synonyms of etymologizing

Noun

1. deriving, derivation, etymologizing, explanation, account

usage: (historical linguistics) an explanation of the historical origins of a word or phrase

Verb

1. etymologize, etymologise, derive, educe

usage: 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"

2. etymologize, etymologise, reconstruct, construct, retrace

usage: construct the history of words