The Collaborative International Dictionary
Docimacy \Doc"i*ma*cy\, n. [Gr. ? an assay, examination, fr. ? to examine (Metals), fr. ? assayed, tested, fr. ? to take, approve: cf. F. docimasie.] The art or practice of applying tests to ascertain the nature, quality, etc., of objects, as of metals or ores, of medicines, or of facts pertaining to physiology.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"judicial inquiry into the character of aspirants for office or citizenship," especially in ancient Athens, 1801, from Greek dokimasia "assay, proving, examination," from stem of dokimazein "to test, prove," from dokimos "proven, genuine," literally "accepted," related to dekhesthai "to take, accept," cognate with Latin decere "to be seemly or fitting" (see decent).
Wiktionary
n. The art or practice of applying tests to ascertain the nature, quality, etc., of objects, as of metals or ores, of medicines, or of facts pertaining to physiology.