ETYMOLOGY
from the archaic meaning of meat (food in general) + able
EXAMPLE
“…wyse as the serpent, and benigne to his subiectes, discrete with the froward, meteable to the nedy, liberall to wydowes and children, and a blissid fader…”
From: Speculum Sacerdotale, a1500
A collection of fifteenth century English Festival Sermons
Lexicophilia 