fe·tor noun alsofoe·tor\ˈfēd.ə(r)\ (-s) Etymology: Middle English fetour, from Latin fetor, foetor, from fetēre, foetēre to have an offensive smell, stink + -or — more at fetid : a usually strong offensive smell : stench, fetidness < burned sugar to dispel the fetor of the sickroom — Jean Stafford > < fetor of breath >