The word "piercing" generally refers to something that is sharp or capable of penetrating. It can describe sounds that are high-pitched and cutting, as well as feelings or emotions that are intense or penetrating. When used in a physical context, it relates to something that goes through a surface or body, like a piercing in the skin.
The word "piercing" comes from the verb "pierce," which has its origins in the Middle English "piercen," derived from the Old French "percer," meaning "to penetrate" or "to pierce." The term has been used in English since the late Middle Ages.