\Ven"i*son\ (?; 277), n. [OE. veneison, veneson,
venison, OF. veneison, F. venaison, L. venatio hunting, the
chase, game, fr. venari, p. p. venatus, to hunt; perhaps akin
to OHG. weidin?n, weidenen, to pasture, to hunt, G. weide
pasturage. Cf. {Gain} to acquire, {Venation}.]
1. Beasts of the chase. [Obs.] --Fabyan.
2. Formerly, the flesh of any of the edible beasts of the
   chase, also of game birds; now, the flesh of animals of
   the deer kind exclusively.