ETYMOLOGY
perhaps representative (with some change of sense) Old English fedels (fatted bird),
the Germanic base of feed (vb.) + the Germanic base of ‑els
EXAMPLE
(for n. 2)
“…It will be of a pretty little Infant: O how heartily I shall love it! I do
already dote upon it; for it will be my dainty Fedle-darling, my genteel Dilli-minion …”
From: The third book of the Works of Mr. Francis Rabelais
Translation by Thomas Urquhart. 1693
Lexicophilia 