An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. (n.) An exploratory action or device for investigating and obtaining information on a remote region.
   Same as → space probe. → lunar probe.
   
2. (v.) To conduct a thorough investigation of something.
   To examine or explore with a probe.

Etymology (EN): M.L. proba “examination, test,” L. probare “to test, prove worthy,” from probus “worthy, good, upright.”

Etymology (PE): 1) Gomâné “a shaft sunk in order to ascertain the depth of the water when making a subterraneous canal,” from Proto-Iranian *vi-mā-, from vi- “apart, away from, out” (cf. Av. vi-; O.Pers. viy- “apart, away;” Skt. vi- “apart, asunder, away, out;” L. vitare “to avoid, turn aside”) + mā- “to measure” (cf.
O.Pers./Av. mā(y)- “to measure;” Mod.Pers.
mâ/mun/mân “measure,” as in Pers. terms âzmâ- “to test;”
pirâmun “perimeter,” âzmun “test, trial,”
peymân “measuring, agreement,” peymâné “a measure; a cup, bowl;”
PIE base *me- “to measure;”
cf. Skt. mati “measures,” matra- “measure;” Gk. metron “measure;” L. metrum).
2) Gomâné zadan composite infinitive of gomân with zadan

“to strike, beat; to play an instrument; to do” (Mid.Pers. zatan, žatan; O.Pers./Av. jan-, gan- “to strike, hit, smite, kill” (jantar- “smiter”); cf.
Skt. han- “to strike, beat” (hantar- “smiter, killer”);
Gk. theinein “to strike;” L. fendere “to strike, push;” Gmc. *gundjo “war, battle;” PIE *g^when- “to strike, kill”).