[1545–55; chaff1 + -y1]This word is first recorded in the period 1545–55. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: caste, footprint, fusion, insurance, species-y is a native English suffix of adjectives meaning “characterized by or inclined to”the substance or action of the word or stem to which the suffix is attached. Otherwords that use the affix -y include: dreamy, grouchy, juicy, rumbly