late 13c., "to bring up, nurture" (a child, a feeling, etc.), from Old French norriss-, stem of norrir "raise, bring up, nurture, foster; maintain, provide for" (12c., Modern French nourrir), from Latin nutrire "to feed, nurse, foster, support, preserve," from *nutri (older form of nutrix "nurse"), literally "she who gives suck," from PIE *nu- (from root *(s)nau- "to swim, flow, let flow," hence "to suckle;" see nutriment) + fem. agent suffix. Related: Nourished; nourishing.