The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Inquisition \In`qui*si"tion\, n. [L. inquisitio : cf. F.
   inquisition. See Inquire, and cf. Inquest.]
   1. The act of inquiring; inquiry; search; examination;
      inspection; investigation.
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            As I could learn through earnest inquisition.
                                                  --Latimer.
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            Let not search and inquisition quail
            To bring again these foolish runaways. --Shak.
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   2. (Law)
      (a) Judicial inquiry; official examination; inquest.
      (b) The finding of a jury, especially such a finding under
          a writ of inquiry. --Bouvier.
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                The justices in eyre had it formerly in charge
                to make inquisition concerning them by a jury of
                the county.                       --Blackstone.
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   3. (R. C. Ch.) A court or tribunal for the examination and
      punishment of heretics, fully established by Pope Gregory
      IX. in 1235. Its operations were chiefly confined to
      Spain, Portugal, and their dependencies, and a part of
      Italy.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Inquisition \In`qui*si"tion\, v. t.
   To make inquisition concerning; to inquire into. [Obs.]
   --Milton.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

Inquisition
    n 1: a former tribunal of the Roman Catholic Church (1232-1820)
         created to discover and suppress heresy
    2: a severe interrogation (often violating the rights or privacy
       of individuals)