Wickerman
/ˈwɪkərmæn/noun
A figure or effigy made of wicker, especially one associated with the legendary Celtic sacrifice described by ancient writers.
Did you know?The famous “Wicker Man” image comes mainly from a Roman-era report by Julius Caesar and later classical writers about British and Gallic ritual, but historians debate how literal those accounts really were.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Celtic / Roman accounts
Latin
wicker + man
“A man-shaped effigy of woven branches, said in classical descriptions to be used in sacrifice or burning rituals.”
Old English
OE
wīcere
“Wickerwork; something made of pliant twigs or withies.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*wikōną / *wīk-
“To bend, turn, or weave; source of words connected to pliable weaving materials.”
Middle English
English
wiker / wiccer
“Wicker, woven twig-work.”
Modern English
English
wickerman
“A wicker effigy or a man-shaped figure made of woven material.”