/hawr"nit/ , n.
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.
[ bef. 900; ME harnete, OE hyrnet ( u ); c. OHG hornaz ( > G Horniss ); akin to HORN ]