Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913
Exploration
Ex′plo·ra′tion (ĕks′plō·rā′shŭn), n. [L. exploratio: cf. F. exploration.] The act of exploring, penetrating, or ranging over for purposes of discovery, especially of geographical discovery; examination; as, the exploration of unknown countries; (Med.) physical examination.
"An exploration of doctrine." Bp. Hall.