doodlebug

[ dood-l-buhg ]

/ ˈdud lˌbʌg /

noun

the larva of an antlion.

Words nearby doodlebug

doobie, dooced, doodad, doodah, doodle, doodlebug, doodlesack, doodly-squat, doofus, doohan, doohickey

Origin of doodlebug

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

Definition for doodle-bug (2 of 2)

doodlebug²

[ dood-l-buhg ]

/ ˈdud lˌbʌg /

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

First recorded in 1865–70; special use of doodlebug¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for doodle-bug

It would be just as good as 'doodle-bug,' and more—more accurate.
The Unspeakable Perk|Samuel Hopkins Adams
Come on, yu pie-eatin' doodle-bug; I'll beat yu to th' gate!
Hopalong Cassidy's Rustler Round-Up|Clarence Edward Mulford

British Dictionary definitions for doodle-bug

doodlebug

/ (ˈduːdəlˌbʌɡ) /

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