animal doctor, 1646, from L.
veterinarius "of or having to do with beasts of burden," also "cattle doctor," from
veterinum "beast of burden," perhaps from
vetus (gen.
veteris) "old" (see
veteran), possibly from the notion of "experienced," or of "one year old" (hence strong enough to draw burdens). Another theory connects it to L.
vehere "to draw," on notion of "used as a draft animal." Replaced native
dog-leech (1529).