(This was a word of the day from wordsmith.org Wednesday 4th Apr 2007.)

pogonotrophy (po-guh-NAW-truh-fee) noun

The growing of a beard.

[From Greek pogon (beard) + -trophy (nourishment, growth).]

Pogonology is the study of beards and pogonotomy is a fancy word for shaving.

"Mr. Davis fixed his gaze on the red beard [and said], "Professor Flowers, I must congratulate you on a fine example of pogonotrophy.'" Richard J. Weiss and Duane R. Chartier; Fakebusters II: Scientific Detection of Fakery in Art and Philately; World Scientific Publishing Company; 2004.