Early 20th century; earliest use found in The British Medical Journal. From classical Latin puer boy, child + -i- + -culture, probably after French puériculture. Compare Italian puericultura.
Definition of puericulture in US English:
puericulture
nounp(j)uːˈɛrɪˌkʌltʃə
The rearing and training of young children.
Origin
Early 20th century; earliest use found in The British Medical Journal. From classical Latin puer boy, child + -i- + -culture, probably after French puériculture. Compare Italian puericultura.