Re:The etymology would not make osculation more
appealing. The root is said to be "vermis" = worm.

several different terms for red are rooted in the "vermis" root... Many red dyes were first extracted from the boiled shells of insects. ---Just as lacquer is. (and it too has a redish tone.)
nowdays there are several red words that go back to the same root. (but all my dictionaries are still in storage.... its driving me crazy!)

carnilion is another 'red' red word, the front half from carn(e) -flesh, and the back have from vermilion!

red food coloring used to made from the same boiled insect shells... but now days, the most common red dye is red dye #2, which is a coal tar extract. (mmm, coal tar! drool... as Homer Simpson might say!)



my other obsession