nutriment

noun

1. any substance or matter that, taken into a living organism, serves to sustain it in its existence, promoting growth, replacing loss, and providing energy.
2. anything that nourishes; nourishment; food.

noun

1. any material providing nourishment

n.

1540s, from Latin nutrimentum “nourishment; support,” from nutrire “to nourish, suckle, feed,” from PIE *nu-tri-, from root *(s)nau- “to swim, flow, let flow,” hence “to suckle” (cf. Sanskrit snauti “she drips, gives milk;” Greek nan “I flow”), extended form of root *sna- “to swim” (see natatorium).

n.

1. A source of nourishment; food.
2. An agent that promotes growth or development.