Hypothesize (verb)

1. To form a theory or conjecture about a particular set of circumstances or events without sufficient evidence to provide proof.
2. To make an assumption as a starting point for further investigation.

Origin:

Mid 17th century: from greek hupotithenai "put under, suppose", from hupo "under" + tithenai "to place".

Examples:

1. He hypothesized that increasing the temperature would speed up the reaction.
2. The scientists hypothesized that the new drug would be effective in treating the disease.
3. She hypothesized that the decline in bee populations was caused by pesticides.
4. The researchers hypothesized that the ancient civilization was destroyed by a natural disaster.
5. He hypothesized that the behavior was caused by a lack of social interaction.