1830, perhaps from Latinized form of Greek derma "skin" (see derma); or perhaps a back-formation from epidermis.
dermis der·mis (dûr'mĭs)
n.
The sensitive connective tissue layer of the skin located below the epidermis, containing nerve endings, sweat and sebaceous glands, and blood and lymph vessels. Also called corium, cutis vera, derma1.
the thicker, deeper layer of the skin underlying the epidermis and made up of connective tissue. It is present in varying degrees of development among various vertebrate groups, being relatively thin and simple in aquatic animals and progressively thicker and more complex in terrestrial species