Lactifuge
/ˈlæk.tɪˌfjuːdʒ/noun
A substance that inhibits or prevents the secretion of milk.
Did you know?In ancient herbal medicine, lactifuge herbs were believed to possess not only physical but also mystical properties, used in rituals to control fertility and abundance.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
lactifugus
“literally meaning 'milk fleeing', derived from 'lac' (milk) and 'fugere' (to flee)”
Old French
Old French
lactifuge
“adapted from Latin to describe substances that cause milk to leave the body”
17th Century
English
lactifuge
“adopted directly into English to denote agents that inhibit lactation”
Modern English
English
lactifuge
“used in medical contexts primarily to refer to substances affecting milk secretion”