[1825–35; fir + -y1]This word is first recorded in the period 1825–35. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: cross section, electrolyte, panda, runway, spiritualism-y is a native English suffix of adjectives meaning “characterized by or inclined to”the substance or action of the word or stem to which the suffix is attached. Otherwords that use the affix -y include: dreamy, grouchy, juicy, rumbly