hagworm

English

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English hagworme (“viper”), from Old Norse hǫggormr (“serpent”), from hǫgg (“stroke, blow”) + ormr (“worm, snake”). Cognate with Icelandic höggormur (“poisonous snake, serpent”), Swedish huggorm (“adder, viper”).

Noun

hagworm (plural hagworms)

1. (UK, dialectal) A common snake, such as an adder or a viper.
2. (UK, dialectal) A blindworm.