noun
molester; groper; pervert
Refers to a person who commits sexual harassment or assault, especially in public places like trains. Strongly negative and often used in legal/crime contexts.
痴漢は犯罪です。
Groping is a crime.
電車で痴漢に遭った。
I was molested on the train.
noun
Archaic meaning; not used in modern Japanese. The word now exclusively means 'molester'.
古語では「痴漢」は愚か者を指した。
In old language, '痴漢' referred to a fool.
Composed of 痴 (foolish, stupid) and 漢 (man). Originally meant 'foolish man', but the modern meaning shifted to 'molester' in the 20th century.