'woodworm' originates from Old English, specifically the words 'wudu' meaning 'wood' and 'wyrm' meaning 'worm'.

'wudu' and 'wyrm' combined in Old English to form 'wuduwyrm', which eventually became the modern English word 'woodworm'.

Initially, it referred to any worm-like creature found in wood, but now it specifically refers to the larval stage of certain beetles.