victuals

noun

1. victuals, food supplies; provisions.
2. food or provisions for human beings.

verb (used with object), vict·ualed, vict·ual·ing or (especially British) vict·ualled, vict·ual·ling.

3. to supply with victuals.

verb (used without object), vict·ualed, vict·ual·ing or (especially British) vict·ualled, vict·ual·ling.

4. to take or obtain victuals.
5. Archaic. to eat or feed.

pl n

1. (sometimes singular) food or provisions

verb -uals, -ualling or -ualled or US -uals, -ualing or -ualed

1. to supply with or obtain victuals
2. (intr) rare (esp of animals) to partake of victuals

n.

c.1300, vitaylle (singular), from Anglo-French and Old French vitaille, from Late Latin victualia “provisions,” noun use of plural of victualis “of nourishment,” from victus “livelihood, food, sustenance,” from root of vivere “to live” (see vital). Spelling altered early 16c. to conform with Latin, but pronunciation remains “vittles.”

n.

c.1300; see victuals.

v.

c.1300, from Anglo-French or Old French vitailler, from vitaille (see victuals). Related: Victualed; victualing.