any large, stinging paper wasp of the family Vespidae, as Vespa crabro(giant hornet), introduced into the U.S. from Europe, or Vespula maculata(bald-faced hornet or white-faced hornet), of North America.
Origin: bef. 900; ME harnete, OE hyrnet(u); c. OHG hornaz (> G Horniss); akin to horn