"pursuit of sexual pleasure," 1497, from M.L.
veneria "sexual intercourse," from L.
venus (gen.
veneris) "sexual love, sexual desire" (see
Venus). In earlier use it may have been felt as a play on now obsolete homonym
venery "practice or sport of hunting, the chase" (c.1320), from O.Fr.
venerie, from L.
venari "to hunt" (see
venison).