Berserker
/ˈbɜːr.sɜːr.kər/noun
A legendary Norse warrior reputed to fight in a wild, frenzied state, often associated with wearing a bear skin.
Did you know?Old Norse berserkers were associated with Óðinn, and medieval sources portray them as warriors capable of entering a terrifying battle frenzy called berserksgangr.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*berô
“Bear; the reconstructed Germanic animal name underlying the first element of berserkr”
Viking Age
Old Norse
berserkr
“A berserker; traditionally interpreted as “bear-shirt,” referring to a bear pelt, though “bare-shirt” is also debated”
13th Century
Old Norse
berserkr
“A warrior famed for extraordinary strength and battle fury in Icelandic saga literature”
18th Century
English
berserk
“Furiously violent or wildly enraged”
19th Century
English
berserker
“A Norse warrior fighting in a frenzied state; later, any person acting with uncontrolled violence”
Modern English
English
berserker
“A person or fictional warrior characterized by extreme, uncontrolled aggression”