c.1410, retreve, from M.Fr. retruev-, stem of O.Fr. retrouver "find again," from re- "again" + trouver "to find," probably from V.L. *tropare "to compose" (see trove). Altered 16c. to retrive; modern form is from c.1650. Retriever "dog used for retrieving game" first recorded 1486.
