An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. (n.) A specific task or planned program of investigation, especially in scholarship.
   

2a) (v.) To propose, contemplate, or plan.

2b) To throw or cause to fall upon a surface or into space, as a ray of light or a shadow.

2c) To cause (a figure or image) to appear, as on a background.

2d) Geometry: To transform the points of one figure into those of another by a correspondence between points.

Etymology (EN): 1) From L. projectum “something thrown forth,” noun use of neuter of projectus, p.p. of projicere “to stretch out, throw forth,” from → pro- “forward” + combining form of jacere (p.p. jactus) “to throw.”
2) From L. projectus, as above.

Etymology (PE): Farâšândan, from farâ- “forward,”
→ pro- + šândan, from ešândan “to eject,” from Hamadâni ešândan “to throw out,” Laki owštan “to throw, to shoot (with bow and arrow);” Lori šane “throwing,” šane kerde “to throw;” Av. ah- “to throw,” present ahya- “throws,” asta- “thrown, shot,” astar- “thrower, shooter;” cf. Khotanese ah- “to throw, shoot,” Skt. as- “to throw, shoot,” ásyati “throws,” ásana- “throw, shot,” asanā- “missile.”