vermiculation

vermiculation (ver-mik-yoo-LAY-shuhn) - n., a pattern of irregular wavy lines resembling the forms or tracks of worms.


Can be applied as decoration on, for example, ceramics or describe the coloration of a bird. The word can also mean the condition of being worm eaten and a motion in the manner of worms, but those are not of interest for today's purposes. From vermiculate, which first appears in English around 1600, from Latin vermiculātus, past participle of vermiculārī, to be worm-eaten, from vermiculus, insect larva/grub, from vermis, worm.

Some architectural vermiculation:

Thanks, WikiMedia!

---L.