1392, from L.L.
hydrophobia (Cælius Aurelianus, c.420), from Gk.
hydrophobia (Celsius, 50 C.E.), from
hydrophobos "dreading water," from
hydr-, stem of
hydros "water" +
phobos "dread, fear" (see
phobia). So called because human sufferers show aversion to water and have difficulty swallowing it.