Mid 16th century (in an earlier sense). From classical Latin parōtis inflammation about the ear, swelling of the parotid gland from Hellenistic Greek παρωτιδ-, παρωτίς tumour of the parotid gland from ancient Greek παρα- + ὠτ-, οὖς ear + -ιδ-, -ις. Compare scientific Latin glandula parotis parotid gland.