词源 |
boa n.late 14c., "large snake," from Latin boa, type of large serpent mentioned in Pliny's "Natural History;" a word of unknown origin (in medieval folk etymology the name was associated with Greek bous "ox"). Applied by 1620s to a type of large, non-venomous serpent of the South American tropics that kills by constricting its prey. Extension to "snake-like wrap of fur worn around the throat" is from 1836. The popular name boa constrictor is by 1808 in English (from 1770s in German, 1780s in French). updated on October 18, 2022 |