Meaning
A pestilent or predatory ground-borne animal, especially one that kills or harasses a farmer's animals or crops.
Etymology
Origin: Middle English
Dialectal form of vermin, derived from Latin vermis (“worm”), c. 1530–1540s. Perhaps influenced by Latin vargus (“bandit, outlaw, scoundrel”), though the pronunciation in /ɑː(ɹ)/ is more likely due to the same lowering of /ɛr/ > /ar/ found in carve < Middle English kerven and starve < Middle English sterven. The final syllable is probably altered after -ment; compare parchment < Middle English parchemyn.
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles, including a pangram: