shipworm

[ ship-wurm ]

noun

1. any of various wormlike marine bivalve mollusks that burrow into the timbers of ship, wharves, etc.

shipworm

/ ˈʃɪpˌwɜːm /

noun

1. any wormlike marine bivalve mollusc of the genus Teredo and related genera and family Teredinidae. They bore into wooden piers, ships, etc, by means of drill-like shell valves See also piddock

Word History and Origins

Origin of shipworm¹

First recorded in 1770–80; ship ¹ + worm

Example Sentences

The teredo or shipworm was a serious peril in the days before the sheathing of ships.

From Project Gutenberg