[header] How to study the etymology of words [title] Find a good etymological dictionary. [step] To start informally studying etymology, buy or gain access to an authoritative dictionary that includes the linguistic origins of words in its definitions. The easiest way to tell that it does is if it has, " etymological " in the title. 
However, it may still include etymologies even if it does not include this in the title. Check a definition to see if there is a section labeled " origin " or " etymology.