ETYMOLOGY
from Latin pabulasus abounding in pabulum (fodder);
from pabulum (food, nutrient) + –osus (-ous)
EXAMPLE
“… And although the ayre attracted may be conceived to nourish that invisible flame of life, in as much as common and culinary flames are nourished by the ayre about them; I confesse wee doubt the common conceit, which affirmeth that aire is the pabulous supply of fire, much lesse that flame is properly aire kindled: And the same before us, hath been denyed by the Lord of Verulam, in his Tract of life and death, & also by Dr. Jorden in his book of Minerall waters. …”
From: Pseudodoxia Epidemica, or, Enquiries into very many received tenents and commonly presumed truths
By Sir Thomas Browne, 1646
Lexicophilia 