Definition of boar

The word "boar" originated from Old English, where it was spelled "boar" or "bær". It is derived from Proto-Germanic "*boriz", which is also the source of the Modern English word "bear". The Proto-Germanic word is thought to have been derived from Proto-Indo-European "*bʰer-", which meant "brown bear" or "forest-dwelling bear". The Old English word "boar" referred specifically to a male swine, as opposed to a female sow. Over time, the spelling and meaning of the word evolved, and "boar" has since been used to refer to any wild or feral pig, regardless of sex. Today, the word "boar" is used in many languages to refer to wild pigs and is a common term in hunting and wildlife conservation.