Laxative

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late Middle English: via Old French laxatif, -ive or late Latin laxativus, from Latin laxare ‘loosen’ (from laxus ‘loose’).

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From Middle French laxatif, from Latin laxātīvus(literally “relaxing, loosening”)

etymonline

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laxative (adj.)

late 14c., "causing relaxation or looseness," from Old French laxatif (13c.), from Medieval Latin laxativus "loosening," from Latin laxat-, past participle stem of laxare "loosen," from laxus "loose, lax" (see lax). The noun meaning "a laxative medicine, a medicine that relieves constipation by relaxing the intestines" is from late 14c.