Looking at the etymology of etymology we again start with those clever ancient Greeks who had the word etymon to which logia and logy could be attached. Then the Romans who didn't have a word of their own with that meaning, "borrowed" it and made it the Latin etymologia. Because the Romans did a lot of conquering and colonizing Latin spread through Europe and so etymologia moved through Anglo-French and into Middle English where, just to confuse everyone, it emerged as ethimologie. 

In the 14th Century it is recorded in its present meaning. No doubt in a "place of learning" such as Oxford University.

Just the facts:

Etymology Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

An extract from the above:

The first time I came across the word etymology it was in an upper elementary spelling book.  It would take the more difficult words and give the etymology for it.  I was hooked, and from then on I like to know the etymology for any words that pop up in my reading, whether its in a book, a magazine articles, or something online.