doodlebug

¹ American  

[dood-l-buhg] / ˈdud lˌbʌg /

noun

1. the larva of an antlion.

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doodlebug ² American  

[dood-l-buhg] / ˈdud lˌbʌg /

noun

1. any of various small, squat vehicles.

2. a divining rod or similar device supposedly useful in locating underground water, oil, minerals, etc.

3. British Informal. buzz bomb.

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doodlebug British  

/ ˈduːdəlˌbʌɡ /

noun

1. another name for the V-1

2. a diviner's rod

3. a US name for antlion

4. any of certain insect larvae that resemble the antlion

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Etymology

Origin of doodlebug¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; doodle ¹ + bug ¹

Origin of doodlebug²

First recorded in 1865–70; special use of doodlebug ¹

Example Sentences

Charlotte Little, who owns Doodlebug, a card and gift shop in Cwmbran, said trading had been unpredictable since reopening, and the figures mirrored her experience.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2021

The group — Ishmael Butler, Mary Ann Vieira and Craig Irving, who performed as Butterfly, Ladybug Mecca and Doodlebug — has re-formed for a reunion tour, its first in over a decade.

From New York Times • Nov. 3, 2016

During the six months from September 1944, nearly 3,000 German V1 Doodlebug cruise missiles and V2 rockets fell on London.

From BBC • Aug. 29, 2012

I don't know now whether that ended up in Larceny or Doodlebug – two of his early shorts.

From The Guardian • Feb. 24, 2011

The model having finally been extricated, amid much laughter, and poor Tom having offered mortified apologies, the announcer made known that Hiram Nelson's Doodlebug monoplane would essay a flight.

From The Boy Scouts of the Eagle Patrol by Goldfrap, John Henry