Investigation \In*ves`ti*ga"tion\, n. [L. investigatio: cf. F. investigation.]

The act of investigating; the process of inquiring into or following up; research; study; inquiry, esp. patient or thorough inquiry or examination; as, the investigations of the philosopher and the mathematician; the investigations of the judge, the moralist.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)