"containing or contributing nourishment," 1660s, from Latin nutricius "that which nourishes, nurses," from nutrix (genitive nutricis) "a nurse," from nutrire "to nourish, suckle, feed," from PIE *nu-tri-, suffixed form (with feminine agent suffix) of *(s)nau- "to swim, flow, let flow," hence "to suckle," extended form of root *sna- "to swim." An earlier word was nutrimental (late 14c.). Related: Nutritiously.