lumber

As a noun, this word evokes the scent of pine and the industrial atmosphere of a sawmill. It is the standard term in North American English for processed wood, whereas British English typically prefers timber. It suggests raw material ready for construction rather than a finished piece of furniture. As a verb, it describes a specific kind of movement characterized by weight and lack of grace. It implies a rhythmic but labored pace, often associated with large animals or oversized machinery. The feeling is one of inevitable, slow momentum that is difficult to stop once it has started.