a. rare. [a. F. vervecine (Rabelais), or ad. L. vervēcīn-us, f. vervēc-is, vervex wether: see -INE1.] Of or belonging to a sheep.
The first quot. merely follows the burlesque diction of the original text.
1653. Urquhart, Rabelais, II. vi. Goodly vervecine spatules perforaminated with petrosile.
1656. [see prec.].
1835. Kirby, Hab. & Inst. Anim., I. xi. 330. The vervecine and ovine hydatids, which penetrate into their [sc. sheep’s] lungs and liver and occasion the rot.
