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water boatman

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noun

any of numerous aquatic insects of the family Corixidae, having paddlelike hind legs.

Origin of water boatman

First recorded in 1805–15
Also called boat bug.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for water boatman

Historical Examples of water boatman

  • Then there is the water-boatman, which always swims on its back.

  • The water-boatman (Nautonecta glauca) is a member of the same family, but is no use as food for the fish.

    Amateur Fish Culture

    Charles Edward Walker

  • Others, such as the water-boatman, water-scorpions and pond-skaters, are not of any value as food for the fish.

    Amateur Fish Culture

    Charles Edward Walker

British Dictionary definitions for water boatman

water boatman

noun

any of various aquatic bugs of the families Notonectidae and Corixidae, having a flattened body and oarlike hind legs, adapted for swimming
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