etymology
noun [ C or U ] uk/ˌet.ɪˈmɒl.ə.dʒi/ us/ˌet̬.ɪˈmɑː.lə.dʒi/
词源学;词源说明
the study of the origin and history of words, or a study of this type relating to one particular word
At university she developed an interest in etymology. 上大学时她对词源学产生了兴趣。
A list of selected words and their etymologies is printed at the back of the book. 书末一张表上选列了一些单词及其词源说明。