Dropsy is an antiquated term used to describe the swelling of soft tissues caused by the buildup of excess fluid. In the past, someone might have been described as having dropsy. Nowadays, it would be more common to specify the underlying cause of the swelling. For instance, a person might be diagnosed with edema due to a specific condition. Edema often becomes more noticeable in the lower legs and feet by the end of the day because fluid tends to settle from standing throughout the day. After a night's rest, individuals may experience swelling around the eyes, known as periorbital edema. The term "dropsy" evolved from the Middle English "dropesie," which was derived from the Old French "hydropsie," originating from the Greek "hydrops," itself based on the Greek word "hydro," meaning water.
