Deerstealer

/ˈdɪr.stil.ər/ noun

Definition

A person who hunts or kills deer illegally or poaches deer on someone else's property.

Etymology

Compound of 'deer' and 'stealer' (from Old English 'stelan' meaning to steal). In medieval and early modern times, hunting on royal forests or a nobleman's land was a serious crime.

Kelly Says

In medieval England, deer-stealing from the king's forest could get you hanged—which made outlaw legends like Robin Hood (who supposedly stole the king's deer) into folk heroes who challenged unjust laws about who could hunt.

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