An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

To explore or examine in order to find something.

Etymology (EN): M.E. serchen, cerchen, from O.Fr. cerchier “to search,” from L. circare “to go about, wander, traverse,” from circus “circle.”

Etymology (PE): Jost-o-ju interfixed jost and juy past and present stem of jostan/juyidan “to seek, strive for;” Proto-Iranian *iud- “to struggle for something, to fight” (Av. yūδ- “to fight, struggle;” Mod.Pers. justan, juy- “to search, seek, ask for”); cf. Mid.Pers. vijuyihitan “to search, seek.”