Definition of rover

The word "rover" has a rich history, dating back to the 14th century. Initially, it referred to a person who roamed or wandered around, often in a mischievous or idle manner. This sense of the word is reflected in phrases like "roving eye" or "roving bandit." In the 16th century, the term took on a more maritime flavor, describing a ship that sailed freely without a fixed route or destination. Later, in the 19th century, the word "rover" became associated with children who didn't attend regular school, dubbed "rover" as they would engage in educational wandering. In modern times, the term has been adapted to describe robotic vehicles designed to explore and navigate terrain, such as the Mars rover and Earth-based robots like the Boston Dynamics' Spot. Throughout its evolution, the word "rover" has retained its core sense of movement and exploration, adapting to new contexts and applications.