C16: from Latin fētidus, from fētēre to stink; related to fūmus smoke
Word Origin and History for fetid
adj.
early 15c., from Latin fetidus (commonly, but incorrectly, foetidus) "stinking," from fetere "have a bad smell, stink." Perhaps connected with fimus "dung," or with fumus "smoke."
fetid in Medicine
fetid fet·id (fět'ĭd, fē'tĭd) adj. Having an offensive odor.