Were-meaning man. werewolf= manwolf.

Identifying Characteristics: Large wolf like creatures covered in thick fur. Bipedal. Leaves tracks that resemble a normal wolf in every way but the size. Some reports go hand in hand with sightings or circular holes in the ground, or bright lights with no source appearing . The holes and lights, are a commonality I have found, and yet I have no accounts with which to site this. Until I do, please understand that is my personal theory. Other characteristics are broad chests, reddish, brown or gray fur, sometimes a combination. Sharp teeth or fangs,sharp claws attached to human like arms and hands.

 

Werewolves in history: The mythology of the werewolf has been in existence for ages. The first written account of a werewolf appeared in the scriptures of the Book of Daniel (4:15 - 33), when King Kebuchadnezzar exhibited symptoms of being a werewolf for nearly four years. The Greek legend of King Lycaon of Arcadia had him become transformed into a Wolf by Zeus after offending the gods by serving them a meal of human flesh. The legend gave birth to the scientific term for werewolf, "Lycanthrope" or "Lycanthropy". In the fifth century BC, the celebrated Greek historian Herodotus reported on the Neuri, a strange people who became wolves for a brief period once a year. In the first century AD, noted Roman poet Virgil described a sorcerer who could transform himself into a wolf through the use of secret herbs. During that same period, renowned Roman author Gaius Petronius Arbiter wrote of shape shifters in his compilation of short stories, "Satyricon". “  Source

In ancient lore and legends, The werewolf is believed to be a man who is either cursed or otherwise possesses some sort of magic which makes him able to transform into a wolf. The native Americans particularly the Navajo refer to this as the “skinwalker”. In many old European Werewolf encounters there have been reports of the werewolf having the ability to transform due to a magic belt or animal pelt. In Norse mythology, the god Thor had an ability of great strength due to a magic belt he wore. I found it interesting that our European ancestors made so many references of belts giving mankind special abilities.Another method by which one might willingly become a werewolf was to disrobe and to rub completely over one's body an ointment made of the fat of a freshly killed animal and a special mixture of herbs. The person who wished to accomplish the lupine transformation should also wear a belt made of human or wolf skin around the waist, then cover his or her body with the pelt of a wolf. To accelerate the process of shapeshifting, the apprentice werewolf should recite an ancient magical incantation.

Native American tribes have lore about bear people, wolf people, and fox people. They believed that women often gave birth to half human, half animal creatures, or were-creatures. Early cultures through the Americas,Europe, Asia, and Africa often worshiped minor deities that were half human, half animal. Norse legends speak about hairy human-like beings that live in the underworld caves, and feed at night on unsuspecting surface dwellers. (see hollow earth theory). Switzerland lays claim to the first official execution of werewolves in 1407 when several people were so accused, tortured, and burned in Basel. However the inquisitors in France have the most volumous werewolf cases recorded, apprx 30,000 between 1520-1630. Werewolf trials were held in Poligny in 1521 whereby, after enduring a torture chamber, three men admitted to consorting with she wolves and demons in order to gain the power to transform themselves into wolves, then confessed to killing and eating many small children over a 19 year period. They were burned at the stake. I think it's important to note that just because they confessed, and even though there are very many compelling tales of werewolves in these times, I think there is also another likely explanation for this confession. As we can recall from the witch trials, there was no real way to prove one's own innocence. Therefore, to make the inevitable deaths come hastily and be done with torture, which let's face it, had to be excruciating, I think any reasonable person might admit to such outlandish claims to hasten the end of their suffering. Therefore, while weeding through these tales, it is important I think, to consider all aspects of the information including what we know to be true (ie how “suspects” in witchcraft and other sorcery were handled) With such limited ability to investigate these claims, we are forced to make assumptions only and must accept that we will never know the truth of it.