Where does “rootworm” come from?

rootworm (English) comes from English root, from Middle English rote, from Old French rote, from Latin rupta, from Latin ruptus, from Latin rumpō, from Proto-Indo-European Hrunépti, from Proto-Indo-European Hrewp- — to tear out, dig out, open, acquire.

rootworm (English): A worm that tunnels through the roots of young...

Definitions

  1. A worm that tunnels through the roots of young...

Ancestry of “rootworm”, step by step

rootworm traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English root

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishrootThe part of a plant, generally underground, that...
2Middle EnglishroteThe root; The foundation or base of a...
3Old Frenchroteroute, path
4Latinruptanominative feminine singular of ruptus;...
5Latinruptusbroken; ruptured, burst
6Latinrumpōto break, burst, tear, rend, rupture; break asunder, force open
7Proto-Indo-EuropeanHrunéptito be breaking
8Proto-Indo-EuropeanHrewp-to break, tear
9Proto-Indo-EuropeanHrew-to tear out, dig out, open, acquire

via English Worm

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishWormA generally tubular invertebrate of the annelid phylum; an earthworm
2Middle EnglishwormA worm or similar small wormlike animal that...
3Old Englishwyrmcreeping insect; maggot, grub, worm; snake,...
4Old Englishlēahmeadow; clearing with a pigsty; woodland,...
5Proto-West Germaniclauhclearing; meadow
6Proto-Germaniclauhazclearing; meadow
7Proto-Indo-Europeanlówkosclearing; open space, clearing; field, meadow
8Proto-Indo-Europeanlewḱ-lynx
9Proto-Indo-Europeanlewk-bright; to shine; to see
Every word from Proto-Indo-European Hrew-Every word from Proto-Indo-European Hrewp-Every word from Proto-Indo-European Hrunépti
rootworm — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer