early 15c., fleumi, "caused by an excess of phlegm (the bodily humor);" mid-15c., "sluggish;" from phlegm (q.v.) + -y (2). In reference to mucous or watery discharge by 1540s.
a phlegmy discharge
phlebo-
phlebotomist
phlebotomy
phlegm
phlegmatic
phlegmy
phloem
phlogiston
phlox
Phnom Penh
pho