"To Vet," origin thereof?

[Paul_in_Qatar]

It seems that the verb “to vet” (meaning to examine carefully) date from 1904, with Kipling being the first printed citation. Cite:

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=v&p=4
Anyone have a more detailed explanation of how we got this verb?

[griffin1977]

I think the answer is in your own link:

the colloquial sense of “subject to careful examination” (as of an animal by a veterinarian, especially of a horse before a race)

So it sounds like the term comes from the careful examination a vet gives a horse before a race.

[postcards]

I cannot say from where, but I have heard the same re being examined by a veterinarian.

Maybe I heard it here on the Dope?

[drastic_quench]

@griffin1977

I think the answer is in your own link:
So it sounds like the term comes from the careful examination a vet gives a horse before a race.

That’s it. I heard the same etymology on the news upon Palin’s selection.

[GilaB]

William Safire agrees, although he goes into more detail.

[Paul_in_Qatar]

Thank you all.