brainworm

[ breyn-wurm ]

noun

1. a microscopic, parasitic roundworm that infests the brain of large hoofed animals, as deer.

Word History and Origins

Origin of brainworm¹

1800–10

Example Sentences

Isle Royale has no deer, so its moose aren’t exposed to brainworm, a deadly parasite that deer carry.

From Washington Post

It's always a mistake to spend too long in that person's mind — talk about staring into the abyss! — and anyway we won't find the origins there of the latest toxic brainworm to emerge from the American far right.

From Salon

As far as I can reconstruct things, the kill-the weak brainworm swelled and grew this way.

From Salon

Randy Kelley, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources’ elk project leader, told the Charleston Gazette-Mail that during grazing, the elk accidentally consumed snails that had eaten brainworm eggs.

From Washington Times

That’s partly because of the impact of parasites, both winter tick and brainworm, on the moose population, although the Fish and Game Department says moose are not currently a threatened or endangered species in the state.

From Seattle Times