This rare verb means 'to sting' or 'to pierce,' appearing only in Proverbs 23:32 in a warning about wine. The root is possibly related to words for 'goad' or 'staff' (something that pierces). In the proverb's climactic line, wine that sparkles attractively and goes down smoothly is warned: 'In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.' The parallel verbs (bite/sting) both describe venomous snake attacks, emphasizing wine's deceptive danger. It appears pleasant initially but delivers poisonous consequences—addiction, poverty, conflict, and physical harm. The 'sting' captures the sharp, painful aftermath of excessive drinking.