'Experiment' comes from Latin 'experimentum' ('trial, test'), from 'experiri' ('to try, to test'), ultimately from PIE '*per-' ('to try, to risk').
A scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact. As a verb, to carry out such a procedure.
From Old French 'experiment,' from Latin 'experīmentum' (a trial, test, proof), from 'experīrī' (to try, to test, to put to the proof), composed of 'ex-' (out, thoroughly) + an archaic verb '*perīrī' (to go through, to attempt), related to 'perītus' (experienced, skilled) and 'perīculum' (trial, danger, risk — source of 'peril'). The PIE root is *per- (to try, to risk, to lead through). An experiment is literally a 'thorough trying-out.' The same root connects 'experience' (what you have gone through), 'expert' (one
The Latin root that gives us 'experiment' also gives us 'peril' and 'pirate.' All trace back to PIE '*per-' ('to try, to risk'). A pirate was a 'perator' — one who 'tries' or 'ventures' — and an experiment is a venture into the unknown. The connection between trying, risking, and discovering