Definition of famish

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fam·ish    (fmsh) KEY 

VERB:
fam·ished, fam·ish·ing, fam·ish·es
VERB:
tr.

1. To cause to endure severe hunger.
2. To cause to starve to death.

VERB:
intr.

1. To endure severe deprivation, especially of food.
2. To undergo starvation and die.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English famishen, alteration of famen, from Old French afamer, from Vulgar Latin *affamre : Latin ad-, ad- + Latin fams, hunger

OTHER FORMS:
famish·ment(Noun)