lactiferous en · ADJ
Etymology
Etymology tree Latin lacder. English lacto- Latin -i-bor. English -i- Proto-Indo-European *bʰer- Proto-Indo-European *-eti Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti Proto-Italic *ferō Latin ferō Proto-Indo-European *h₃ed- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *h₃édosder.? Proto-Italic *-ŏ̄dsos? Old Latin -ōssus Latin -ōsus Old French -usbor. Middle English -ous English -ous English -ferous English lactiferous From lacto- + -i- + -ferous.
Meanings
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(not-comparable) Able to secrete milk or a milky fluid such as latex.
The sprouts proliferate and canalize to form the lactiferous ducts and the outbuddings form the alveoli of the mammary glands.
1997, Comprehensive Toxicology: Reproductive and endocrine toxicology, page 258: