ETYMOLOGY
from number (n.) + -ous
EXAMPLE
“… She sawe, she sawe the prophane route,
rushe in, without all measure:
Unto thy sacred holy house,
that route, whiche thou (O Lorde)
Forboddste, that they, ne shoulde come in,
the mansion of thy worde.
Her numbrous folke (a syghyng flocke)
and seekyng after foode,
Dyd geue for meate, what so they had,
thynges precious or good.
To cheryshe theyr so needie sowles. …”
From: A Medicinable Morall, that is, the two bookes of Horace his satyres,
Translated by T. Drant, 1566
Lexicophilia 