late 14c., "small chamber or cavity within a bodily organ," especially of the heart, from Latin ventriculus (in reference to the heart, ventriculus cordis), literally "little belly," diminutive of venter (genitive ventris) "belly" (see ventral).
vent
ventilate
ventilation
ventilator
ventral
ventricle
ventriloquism
ventriloquist
ventriloquy
venture
venturesome