deerie

From deer +‎ -ie.

deerie (plural deeries)

1. (childish or endearing) A deer.
   • 1903, Ellen D. Masters, “The Little Deer at the Fountain”, in Northwestern Christian Advocate, volume 51, page 17:

     “I wish you were a live deer,” Margaret was saying, as she stood by the little stone deer. […] “You are very much mistaken if you think I can't run and play,” said the little deer, and, oh! he began to run and prance about the lawn.
     Margaret was delighted. “Oh, can you, deerie, can you really?” she cried, running after him as he pranced about.

   • 1920, Henry Schenkofsky, Seeing America First: The Elwha:

     A deer is very willing to give up his bed when the least danger signal is sounded. However, when it is rainy and cool, a good many chances are taken to see if the enemy will not just pass by without noticing little deerie.

   • 2013 June 13, James Morrow, This Is the Way the World Ends, Hachette UK, →ISBN:

     A blind deer moved through the organic rubble that had been the woods of central Pennsylvania, pacing in crazed parabolas of misery and hunger. Poor deerie, George could hear Holly saying.

• Reedie