vestimentiferan

noun

ves·​ti·​men·​tif·​er·​an ˌve-stə-ˌmen-ˈti-f(ə-)rən 

: any of a taxonomic group (Vestimentifera) of very large tube worms that may grow to 9 feet (3 meters) in length and more than an inch (3 centimeters) in diameter, are found especially near deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and are considered pogonophorans or a separate phylum or polychaetes

vestimentiferan adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Vestimentifera, from vestimentum muscular structure by which the worm emerges from its tube (from Latin, garment) + -fera, neuter plural of -fer -fer

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above