teredo
Pronunciation: /təˈriːdəʊ/
noun
Zoology- a worm-like marine bivalve mollusc with reduced shells which it uses to drill into wood. It can cause substantial damage to wooden structures and (formerly) ships. Also called shipworm.
- Genus Teredo, family Teredinidae: several species, in particular T. navalis
Origin:
late Middle English: via Latin from Greek terēdōn; related to teirein 'rub hard, wear away'