The term “etymology” originates from the Greek word “ἐτυμολογία” (etymología), which is composed of “ἔτυμον” (étymon) meaning “true sense” or “true meaning” and the suffix “-λογία” (-logía) meaning “the study of.” The word “ἔτυμον” itself comes from “ἔτυμος” (étymos), meaning “true” or “real.” Thus, etymology is the study of the origin and historical development of words, including how their forms and meanings have changed over time.