Harrier
/ˈhær.i.ər/noun
A bird of prey in the genus Circus, or a person or thing that harasses or pursues relentlessly.
Did you know?The bird-name Harrier is linked to the idea of a hunting or harrying creature, and English also kept the same violent root in words like harass and harry.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*harojaną
“to harry, plunder, or make war on”
Old French
OF
harier
“to harass, pursue, or worry”
Middle English
ME
harien
“to harry, raid, or plunder”
16th Century
English
harrier
“one who harries or pursues; later, a hunting dog”
17th Century
English
harrier
“a bird of prey noted for low hunting flight”