Proto-Sino-Caucasian: *sḗmsā
Meaning: insect, worm, leech
Comments and references : Cf. other similar words: PNC/PEC ǯimǯV (~ *ʒ́imʒ́V) ‘leech; a biting insect’, *š_wĕʒV 'a k. of biting insect' (cf. Bsq *sac ~ *sic 'moth'), *miʒ_Ă / *ʒ_imiʒĂ 'a k. of stinging insect', *cīmc_V 'a k. of insect', *c̣ĕlc̣ŭ id. It is possible that some of these were originally expressive variants of the same original root. Etymological comparison suggested by John Bengtson.
