- venison
- late 13c., from O.Fr. venesoun "meat of large game," especially deer or boar, also "a hunt," from L. venationem (nom. venatio) "a hunt," also "game as the product of the hunt," from venatus, p.p. of venari "to hunt, pursue," probably from PIE base *wen- "to strive after" (cf. Skt. veti "follows after," Avestan vayeiti "hunts," Lith. veju "to hunt, pursue," O.C.S. voji "warrior," O.E. waş "hunting," O.N. veiğr "chase, hunting, fishing;" see Venus).