Dictionary entry

Venison

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Ven″i‐son (?; 277), n. [OE. veneison, veneson, venison, OF. veneison, F. venaison, L. venatio hunting, the chase, game, fr. venari, p. p. venatus, to hunt; perhaps akin to OHG. weidinōn, weidenen, to pasture, to hunt, G. weide pasturage. Cf. Gain to acquire, Venation.] 1. Beasts of the chase. Fabyan.

2. Formerly, the flesh of any of the edible beasts of the chase, also of game birds; now, the flesh of animals of the deer kind exclusively.