[1815–25; nickel + -i- + -ferous]This word is first recorded in the period 1815–25. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: aesthetic, aggressive, heuristic, norm, trolley-i- is the typical ending of the first element of compounds of Latin words, as -o- is of Greek words, but often used in English with a first element of any origin,if the second element is of Latin origin. Other words that use the affix -i- include: Frenchify, cuneiform; -ferous is a combining form meaning “bearing,” “producing,” “yielding,” “containing,” “conveying,”used in the formation of compound words. Other words that use the affix -ferous include: coniferous, pestiferous