water bug

noun

1. any of various aquatic bugs, as of the family Belostomatidae giant water bug.

2. (loosely) a large cockroach, especially the American cockroach.

water bug

noun

1. any of various heteropterous insects adapted to living in the water or on its surface, esp any of the family Belostomatidae ( giant water bugs ), of North America, India, and southern Africa, which have flattened hairy legs

Word History and Origins

Origin of water bug¹

First recorded in 1740–50