English

rootworm

From root + worm.

A compound of root + worm

Proto-Indo-European *wréh₂ds ‘root’

Proto-Germanic *wrōts ‘root’

Old Norse rót ‘root’

Old English rōt ‘root’

Middle English rote ‘underground part of a plant’

English root

Proto-Indo-European *wr̥mis

Proto-Germanic *wurmiz

Proto-West Germanic *wurmi

Old English weorm

Middle English werm

English worm

Today it means

noun A worm that tunnels through the roots of young plants.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / rootworm