ˌpərˌkän.ˈtāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin percontation-, percontatio, from percontatus (past participle of percontari to inquire, literally, to sound with a punting pole, from per through, by means of, + contus pole, punting pole, from Greek kontos ) + -ion-, -io -ion; akin to Greek kentein to prick — more at for , center
archaic : an act or process of questioning : inquiry