Final answer:
Etymology is the branch of linguistics concerned with the history and development of words, including how they entered a language and how their meanings evolved. Therefore, the correct answer is option D) The study of word origins.
Step-by-step explanation:
Etymology is the study of word origins. It investigates how the root of a particular word entered a language and how the usage and meaning of the word have evolved over time. For example, understanding the etymology of anatomical terminology, which often derives from Latin and Greek, can be crucial for grasping the vocabulary of anatomy and physiology. Indeed, etymology enables us to learn more about the history and development of our language.