Meaning

noun a heavy iron lever with one end forged into a wedge

verb to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open; :

verb be nosey

originThe verb is inherited from Middle English prien, pryen (“to look closely, peer into, pry, spy”) [and other forms], from Old English *prīwan, *prēowian (“to look narrowly, to squint at”), attested by Old English beprīwan, beprēwan (“to wink”); further etymology unknown, but probably akin to Old English *prēowot (“closing of the eyes”), attested only in combination – compare prēowthwīl (“blink or…

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0