What do we mean by the word "Hindu" and "Hinduism"?

Hinduism differs from other organized religions in the following aspects:

It is not based upon a particular founder.
It is not based upon a particular book.
It is not controlled by a central institution or authority such as a church or a sangha or association.
It is not averse to examine and assimilate fundamentally diverse thoughts and beliefs into its system.
It accepts other religions as various paths to salvation and does not favor organized attempts to proselytize people.
It has been evolving continuously, through internal reforms and as a reaction to the threats and challenges without.