A masochist is a person who derives pleasure from experiencing pain or discomfort. The term is often used in reference to individuals who engage in BDSM (bondage, discipline, sadism, and masochism) activities, but it can also refer to someone who seeks out pain or discomfort in other ways, such as through self-harm or extreme sports. The concept of masochism is named after the Austrian novelist Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, whose works often featured characters who sought out pain and humiliation.