Venaison

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The flesh of game animals, especially deer, used as food ; the meat derived from hunted wild animals consumed by humans ; the culinary use of venison as an ingredient in various dishes
2. Meat obtained from wild animals such as deer, commonly prepared and eaten ; the edible part of game hunted in forests ; venison served as sustenance or in cooking contexts
3. Edible meat from wild game animals, typically deer ; the portion of a hunted animal used for nourishment ; game flesh prepared or preserved for consumption in culinary traditions

Etymology: Before it meant the meat of a deer, this word meant the hunt itself. It comes from Old French "venaison," which descends from Latin "venatio," "hunting," itself from "venari," "to hunt." The same root gave English "venery," the old term for the sport of hunting. Over time the sense narrowed. "Venison" once covered the flesh of any animal taken in the chase, but English speakers gradually reserved it for deer, while other game kept names of their own. The spelling "venaison" is an older form, kept in the original French-influenced shape.

Synonyms: venison, game meat