noun
- a litter of pigs.
verb (used with object)
- (of swine) to bring forth (young).
verb (used without object)
- to produce a litter of pigs.
adjective
- (of a cow) not pregnant.
noun
- a litter of piglets
verb
- (of a sow) to give birth to (a litter)
adjective
- (of a cow) not calving in a given year
Old English fearh “young pig,” from Proto-Germanic *farkhaz “young pig” (cf. Middle Low German ferken, Dutch varken, both diminutives, Old High German farh, German Ferkel), from PIE *porkos- (see pork (n.)). Sense of “a litter of pigs” first recorded 1570s. As a verb, early 13c.