definitions

doodlebug

1
[ dood-l-buhg ]
/ ˈdud lˌbʌg /
|

noun

the larva of an antlion.

RELATED CONTENT

Insect Armies! Terrifying Bug Groups ExplainedGrab your butterfly nets, and let's discover some bugged-out group names.
READ MORE
What Is The Difference Between A Bug And An Insect?We tend to use the word bug loosely for any very small creature with legs. However, a true bug is defined as belonging to the order Hemiptera. These creatures characteristically have tough forewings and lack teeth, such as beetles. True bugs have a stylet (a mouth shaped like a straw) that they use to suck juices from plants. Insects belong to the class Insecta and they are characterized by three-part bodies, usually two pairs of wings, and …
READ MORE

Nearby words

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

Origin of doodlebug

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

Definition for doodle-bug (2 of 2)

doodlebug

2
[ 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

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

/ (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

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