Gribbles

/ˈɡrɪbəlz/ noun

Definition

Small crustaceans that bore into and damage wood, especially wood in marine environments; also called wood lice.

Etymology

From 'gribble,' possibly derived from Old English 'gnaw' or related to 'grib' (to scrape), referring to their wood-eating behavior.

Kelly Says

Gribbles are tiny nightmares for ship builders—these millimeter-long crustaceans can destroy wooden ships from the inside out by boring tunnels, which is why historical navies were obsessed with finding woods gribbles couldn't eat.

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