in·ves·ti·gate [ in vésti gàyt ](past and past participlein·ves·ti·gat·ed, present participlein·ves·ti·gat·ing, 3rd person present singularin·ves·ti·gates)
verb
Definition:
1. transitive and intransitive verb carry out official inquiry: to carry out a detailed examination or inquiry, especially officially, in order to find out about something or somebody The local police are investigating a murder.
2. intransitive verb take look: to take a look or go and see what has happened We heard noises downstairs, so Fred went down to investigate.
[Early 16th century. < Latin investigat-, past participle of investigare, literally "look into for traces" < vestigium "footprint"]
