yean

verb

ˈyēn  ˈēn 

yeaned; yeaning; yeans

intransitive verb

: to bring forth young

—used of a sheep or goat

Word History

Etymology

Middle English yenen, from Old English *geēanian, from Old English ge-, perfective prefix + ēanian to yean; akin to Latin agnus lamb, Greek amnos

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined above