Eingeschleppt

Eingeschleppt is the past participle of einschleppen. The verb means to bring something into a place by dragging, pulling, or transporting, often from outside into an area. The prefix ein- indicates direction inward, while schleppen conveys the effort or heaviness of the movement. In practice, eingeschleppt is commonly used to describe the introduction of things from abroad or from elsewhere, frequently with a negative connotation when referring to pests, diseases, or unwanted goods.

In biology, ecology and public health the term is standard for the introduction of organisms or pathogens into a new region by human activity, such as travel or trade. Expressions like eingeschleppte Arten or eingeschleppte Krankheitserreger are typical and often associated with ecological disruption, agricultural impact or health risks. The word can also appear in everyday contexts to describe something that has been brought into a space from outside, but this usage is more situational and relies on context to convey the negative or burdensome aspect.

Etymologically, eingeschleppen combines ein- (“in, inside”) with schleppen (“to tow, to lug”). It is related to, but distinct from, einschleusen (to smuggle or to admit secretly) and abschleppen (to tow away). The choice of term depends on nuance: einschleppen emphasizes bringing in from another place, often unintentionally or undesirably, while einschleusen stresses covert entry and abschleppen refers to removal by towing.