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definitions

doodlebug

1
[dood-l-buhg]
|

noun

the larva of an antlion.

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Nearby words

  1. dooced,
  2. doodad,
  3. doodah,
  4. doodle,
  5. doodle-bug,
  6. doodlesack,
  7. doodly-squat,
  8. doofus,
  9. doohan,
  10. doohickey

Origin of doodlebug

1
An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; doodle1 + bug1

doodlebug

2
[dood-l-buhg]

noun

any of various small, squat vehicles.
a divining rod or similar device supposedly useful in locating underground water, oil, minerals, etc.
British Informal. buzz bomb.

Origin of doodlebug

2
First recorded in 1865–70; special use of doodlebug1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for doodle-bug

British Dictionary definitions for doodle-bug

doodlebug

noun

another name for the V-1
a diviner's rod
a US name for antlion (def. 2)
US any of certain insect larvae that resemble the antlion

Word Origin for doodlebug

C20: probably from doodle + bug 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for doodle-bug

doodle-bug

n.

type of beetle or larvae, c.1866, Southern U.S. dialect; see doodle + bug (n.). The same word was applied 1944 in R.A.F. slang to German V-model flying bombs.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper