Etymology Map
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Rover

3 stages from Middle Dutch to English.

Today it means a person who wanders; a vehicle for exploring terrain, especially on other planets

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

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

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.