An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. To cut, bite, or corrode with an acid or the like; engrave with an acid or the like, as to form a design in furrows that when charged with ink will give an impression on paper.
   

2. To produce (a design, image, etc.) by this method, as on copper or glass (Dictionary.com).
   

3. Astro.: To cut or corrode an → iron meteorite with a strong → acid to reveal its hidden → crystalline structure.

Etymology (EN): From Du. etsen, from Ger. ätzen “to etch,” from O.H.G. azzon “to cause to bite, feed,” ultimately from PIE root *ed- “to eat;” cf. Av. ad- “to eat;” Mod.Pers. âš “thick brew, soup” (from O.Pers. *āšyā-,
Proto-Ir. *HasH- “to eat”); Skt. ad- “to eat;” Gk. edo “I eat;” Lith. edu “I eat;” O.Irish ithim “I eat;” O.E. etan, O.H.G. essan, Ger. essen “to eat.”

Etymology (PE): Bâ tizâb kandan, literally “to dig with acid,” from bâ “with,” tizâb “acid,” kandan “to dig;” ecidan, from E. etch, cognate with Pers. âš, as above.