investigating

Investigate \In*ves"ti*gate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Investigated; p. pr. & vb. n. Investigating.] [L. investigatus, p. p. of investigare to investigate; pref. in- in + vestigare to track, trace. See Vestige.] To follow up step by step by patient inquiry or observation; to trace or track mentally; to search into; to inquire and examine into with care and accuracy; to find out by careful inquisition; as, to investigate the causes of natural phenomena. [1913 Webster]

investigating \investigating\ n. the work of inquiring into something thoroughly and systematically.