cryptozoology
\krip-toh-zoh-OL-uh-jee\
noun
1. the study of evidence tending to substantiate the existence of, or the search for, creatures whose reported existence is unproved, as the Abominable Snowman or the Loch Ness monster.
Quotes
But the tales from the cryptozoology continue, naturally, because why not let our sense of wonder be wound up by the concept of a creature affectionately known as Nessie? This cryptid is our nautical version of a Yeti or a Sasquatch that seems to lurk not only in blurry photos, but also in the darkest recesses of our dream-states.
-- Michael Cavna, "Loch Ness monster: Google Doodle plumbs the depths of our fevered fascination," Washington Post, April 21, 2015
Origin
Cryptozoology came to English in the mid-1900s from the Greek roots kryptós meaning "hidden" and zôion meaning "animal." The combining form –logy comes from the Greek word logos meaning “word” and is used in the names of sciences or bodies of knowledge.
Dictionary.com
