wharf borer

noun

: a small wood boring beetle (Nacerda melanura) of the family Oedemeridae that is destructive to piling and wood under wharves, buildings near the water, and sometimes telegraph poles

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!