Definition of mangy

"Mangy" originates from the Old French word "mangier", meaning "to eat" or "to devour". This refers to the way mange, a skin disease common in animals, appears to "eat away" at their fur, causing patches of bare skin. Over time, the term "mangier" evolved into "mangé", meaning "eaten" or "devoured", which then became "mangy", referring to the condition itself or to something appearing dirty or neglected.