c. 1400, from Old French inquisiteur (c. 1400) or directly from Latin inquisitor "searcher, examiner," in law, "an investigator, collector of evidence," agent noun from Latin inquirere (see inquire). As the title of an officer of the Inquisition, from 1540s. Related: Inquisitorial.[inquisitor etymology, inquisitor origin, 英语词源]