Gamy
/ˈɡeɪ.mi/noun
Having the flavor or odor of game meat; also, spirited or plucky.
Did you know?The ‘gamey’ meat sense comes from the same root as hunting/game, while the ‘spirited’ sense grew later in English as a metaphor for toughness and readiness to fight.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
gamen
“Amusement, play, sport, or joy”
Middle English
ME
game
“Play, sport, or a hunted animal”
Middle English
ME
gamy
“Pertaining to game; having the smell or taste of game”
18th Century
English
gamy
“Spirited, plucky, or willing to endure hardship”
Modern English
English
gamy
“Having the flavor or odor of game meat; spirited or plucky”