[1755–65; ‹ Gk esóter(os) inner + -y3]This word is first recorded in the period 1755–65. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: avalanche, baroque, generalization, lame duck, outfit-y is a suffix of various origins used in the formation of action nouns from verbs (inquiry), also found in other abstract nouns (carpentry; infamy)