Inherited fromOld Spanishvermejo(“red”), fromVulgar Latin*vermiclus, syncopated form ofLatinvermiculus(“little worm”), fromvermis(“worm”), ultimately in reference toKermes vermilio, a species of scale insect used to make acrimson dye. ComparePortuguesevermelho. Compare alsoProto-Slavic*čьrvenъ(“red”), which is a passive participle of*čьrviti(“to dye using*čьrvь”), where*čьrvь is a kind of worm used as a red dye.
bermejo (femininebermeja,masculine pluralbermejos,feminine pluralbermejas)
