- vent (v.)
- late 14c., "emit from a confined space," probably aphetic of O.Fr. eventer "let out, expose to air," from V.L. *exventare, from L. ex- "out" + ventus "wind" (see wind (n.)). Sense of "express freely" first recorded 1590s. The noun meaning "hole, opening, outlet" is first recorded 1560s. Meaning "action of venting" is recorded from 1550s. Sense of "divulge, publish" (1590s) is behind phrase vent one's spleen (see spleen).