This word was first introduced into the English language by Mr. Dundas, in
a debate in the House of Commons on American affairs, in 1775. From it he
obtained the nick-name of "Starvation Dundas." (Vide the _Correspondence
between Horace Walpole and Mason_, vol. ii. pp. 177. 310. 396., edition
1851.) The word is of irregular formation, the root starve being Old
English, while the termination _-ation_ is Latin.