What is the study of word origins called?

The study of word origins is called etymology. This field investigates the history of words, tracing them back to their roots, examining how their forms and meanings have evolved over time. Etymologists analyze various languages to uncover the original language of a word, its earliest known use, and how it has changed as it passed through different cultures and linguistic traditions. This process not only provides insight into the word itself but also sheds light on the historical and cultural contexts in which the word was used.

The other concepts listed, while related to language and linguistics, do not pertain directly to the study of word origins. For instance, lessematic deals with the meanings attached to morphemes, grammatology focuses on writing systems and their analysis, and phonetics studies the sounds of speech rather than the history and origin of words. Thus, etymology is the precise term for the study in question, making it the correct choice.