said of a husband whose wife rules him by superior force of will, 1670s, an image from hen + peck (v.).
The henpect Man rides behind his Wife, and lets her wear the Spurs and govern the Reins. [Samuel Butler, "Genuine Remains," 1759]
The verb henpeck (1680s) apparently is a back-formation.
hen-house
Henley
henna
Hennessey
henotheism
henpecked
Henrietta
Henry
heortology
hep
hepar
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