The program of the discipline is presented, the main theoretical and methodological approaches in the Russian etymology are characterized, the main concepts and terms of this science are revealed, the review of the most important etymological dictionaries of the Russian language is given. A separate section is devoted to the great Russian etymologist. Meets the requirements of Federal state educational standards of higher education of the last generation. Designed for training in the areas of training 45.03.01 "Philology" (bachelor) and 45.04.01 "Philology" (master). It will also be useful for students of secondary schools, gymnasiums, lyceums, colleges, as well as all those interested in the etymology and history of the Russian language.