Definition of hog

The word "hog" has its roots in the Old Norse language as "hoggr," which meant "boar." Vikings brought hogs over to England as they settled in the 9th century, and the English adopted the Old Norse word for them. The word then evolved to "hogge" in Middle English during the 13th century, which meant both a domestic pig and a wild boar. Over time, the word was shortened to "hog" in Early Modern English, and it has maintained this spelling and meaning to the present day. In modern usage, the term "hog" is generally used to refer specifically to large, adult domestic pigs that are raised for consumption, while wild boars are often referred to as "wild hogs" or "feral hogs."