It is a loose term for an umbrella of disorders with hugely varying aetiology.
From the guardian.co.uk
Cirrhosis of any aetiology is, by itself, a risk factor for the development of HCC.
From the nature.com
The aetiology of neophilia has been a loss of confidence, a failure of nerve.
From the guardian.co.uk
However, the aetiology of the Meares-Irlen syndrome remains under-specified.
From the en.wikipedia.org
Vitamin D deficiency in cirrhosis relates to liver dysfunction rather than aetiology.
From the sciencedaily.com
Halitosis has been classified by location of the cause of the malodor and by aetiology.
From the en.wikipedia.org
It's a subgroup, with a characteristic pattern of symptoms and a more complex aetiology.
From the newscientist.com
As Hannibal crosses the Pyrenees, their Herculean aetiology is explained.
From the en.wikipedia.org
Book 5 The history and mythical aetiology of Lake Trasimene is presented.
From the en.wikipedia.org
More examples
Etiology: the cause of a disease
Etiology: the philosophical study of causation
(aetiologist) etiologist: a specialist in the etiology of diseases
Aetiology is a blog written by Tara C. Smith, PhD, a faculty member at the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa researching epidemiology. The blog's subtitle is "Discussing causes, origins, evolution and implications of disease and other phenomena". ...
The establishment of a cause, origin or reason for something; The study of causes or causation; The study or investigation of the causes of disease; a scientific explanation for the origin of a disease
Alternative spelling of aetiology
The same as causation. (American spelling 'etiology')
A term denoting the cause or origin of a specific disease.
A doctrine and/or narrative account of first causes, particularly in the case of creation myths/stories that provide narrative accounts of the raison d'etre of all that is. See also Teleology.