branch of chemistry which deals with wine-making and brewing, 1868, from Gk.
zymo-, comb. form of
zyme "a leaven" (from PIE base
*yus-; see
juice) +
-ourgia "a working," from
ergon "work" (see
urge (v.)). The last word in many standard English dictionaries; but in the OED [2nd ed.] the last word is
zyxt, an obsolete Kentish form of the second person singular of
see (v.).