spelunk

/spəˈlʌŋk/

spelunk

English Noun

Definition

A cave, cavern or grotto.

Etymology

From Middle English spelunke, from Old French spelonque and/or Latin spelunca, from Ancient Greek σπῆλυγξ (spêlunx, “cave”), related to σπέος (spéos). Cognates include Middle Dutch spelunke, spelonke, German Spelunke.