[1805–15; ferri- + -ferous]This word is first recorded in the period 1805–15. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: alpaca, backlash, diminishing returns, makeup, souffléferri- is a combining form with the meaning “iron,” used in the formation of compound words.Other words that use the affix ferri- include: ferricyanide, ferrihemoglobin, ferrimagnetic; -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