houtkapper, noun

/ˈhəʊtkapə(r)/
Origin:
AfrikaansShow more Afrikaans, hout wood + kapper chopper, cutter; see quotation 1905.
obsolescent
Any of several species of termite of the Hodotermitidae and Termitidae, especially Hodotermes mossambicus. Also attributive.
1904 Cape of G.H. Agric. Jrnl 471 (Pettman)The trouble here is not the small white ant, but the large brown black head, locally known as Houtkapper or wood-chopper.
1905 L. Péreinguey in Flint & Gilchrist Science in S. Afr. 158A subterranean, eyed, grass or twig-cutting one (sc. termite)..works in the open in the daytime. Owing to its habit of piling up at the entrance little heaps of twigs of grass or dry wood cut to a short length, it has received here the cognomen of ‘Hout-kapper,’ or wood-cutter.
1911 Farmer’s Weekly 15 Mar. 9The insects causing the damage are I presume the large termites often called the ‘Houtkapper’.
1913 C. Pettman Africanderisms 221Houtkapper,..The name is..given to a species of termite — Hodotermes havilandi, which is destructive to growing crops.
1918 S.H. Skaife Animal Life in S. Afr. 71All termites, except the marching termite, or houtkapper, are blind.
1979 T. Gutsche There Was a Man 344A certain white or ‘Houtkapper’ ant harboured a worm in its bloated body.
Any of several species of termite of the Hodotermitidae and Termitidae, especially Hodotermes mossambicus. Also attributive.
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19041979

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hout, nounn.houtkop, nounn.
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