rover

Where does the word "rover" come from? It comes from Middle Dutch rover, passing through Middle English before entering English (1970s).

Rover’s story begins in Middle Dutch: rover meant “robber, pirate.” From 'roven', to rob, related to 'bereave'. By 1300s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as rover. First meant a sea-robber. It reached English by 1970s as rover. Blended with 'rove', to wander; now used for robotic vehicles exploring Mars. Today, rover means a person who wanders; a vehicle for exploring terrain, especially on other planets.

1. Stage 1 · Middle Dutch · medieval rover "robber, pirate", from 'roven', to rob, related to 'bereave'.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · 1300s rover "pirate", first meant a sea-robber.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1970s rover "a wanderer; exploration vehicle", blended with 'rove', to wander; now used for robotic vehicles exploring Mars.