Clambering
/ˈklæm.bər.ɪŋ/noun
Clambering means climbing or moving in a laborious, awkward, or hasty way.
Did you know?The word is tied to a family of Germanic forms meaning to climb or clamber, and its rough, physical sound perfectly matches the struggle it describes.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*klam- / *klamb-
“A base associated with clinging, grasping, or climbing.”
Old English
OE
climban
“To climb or ascend.”
Middle English
ME
clambren
“To climb awkwardly or with effort.”
16th Century
English
clamberen
“To climb with difficulty; to scramble upward.”
Modern English
English
clamber
“To climb awkwardly or laboriously.”