ver·min / ˈvərmən/ • n. [treated as pl.] wild mammals and birds that are believed to be harmful to crops, farm animals, or game, or that carry disease, e.g., foxes, rodents, and insect pests. ∎  parasitic worms or insects. ∎ fig. people perceived as despicable and as causing problems for the rest of society: the vermin who ransacked her house.DERIVATIVES: ver·min·ous / -mənəs/ adj.

vermin animals of a noxious or offensive kind. XIII. — OF. vermin, (also mod.) vermine :- Rom. *vermīnum, -īna, f. L. vermis, -min- WORM; see -INE1.
So verminous XVII. — F. or L.

Vermin

a kind or class of obnoxious animal, 1400; applied to persons of an offensive nature, 1562.

Examples : vermin of the earth, 1690; of the soul, 1621.