Borer
/ˈbɔːrər/noun
A person or thing that bores holes in wood, metal, or other material.
Did you know?The word comes from the same ancient root behind ‘bear’ and ‘burden,’ originally tied to the idea of carrying or thrusting through, not just drilling.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bher-
“to carry, bear, or bring”
Old English
OE
borian
“to pierce, drill, or make a hole”
Middle English
ME
boren
“to bore, drill, or perforate”
14th Century
English
borer
“one who bores; a tool or creature that makes holes”
Modern English
English
borer
“a drill, auger, or insect larva that tunnels into wood or plant tissue”