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Spelunker

noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    One who explores caves; one who spelunks. Canada, US

    "I took to fishing, on mountain brooks and lakes, and finally I was inveigled into becoming a spelunker. A spelunker is a human worm who crawls into caves ("splunca" is Latin for cave) and explores them."

  2. 2
    a person who explores caves wordnet
  3. 3
    An amateur or inadequately prepared caver. derogatory

    "I am officially a spelunker – but not yet a caver. The dictionary definition of spelunking is “exploring caves for sport.” Serious enthusiasts shun the term, however. They are cavers. A spelunker is an inexperienced amateur. On this dry and balmy mid-November Saturday, our group contains three spelunkers and two cavers."

Etymology

From then-obsolete spelunk (noun) + -er. Coined by New England cave explorer Roger Charles Johnson in the 1930s.

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