Word Origin & History
spelunker
"a cave bug; one who explores caves as a hobby," 1942, formed from obs. spelunk "cave, cavern" (c.1300), from O.Fr. spelunque, from L. spelunca "a cave, cavern, grotto," from Gk. spelynx (gen. spelyngos). An adjective, speluncar "of a cave" is recorded from 1855.