[ kə'rɒtɪd ]
■ adjective Anatomy relating to or denoting the two main arteries carrying blood to the head and neck.
Origin
C17: from Fr. ~e or mod. L. ~es , from Gk karōtides , plural of karōtis 'drowsiness', from karoun 'stupefy' (because compression of these arteries was thought to cause stupor).