doodlebug

[dood-l-buhg]

noun

the larva of an antlion.

Origin of doodlebug

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

doodlebug

[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

First recorded in 1865–70; special use of doodlebug¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for doodle-bug

Historical Examples of doodle-bug

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

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

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.