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cockchafer

Pronunciation: /ˈkɒkˌtʃeɪfə/
Definition of cockchafer

noun

  • a large brown European beetle which flies at dusk and is a destructive plant pest, both as an adult and a larva. Also called May bug.
    • Melolontha melolontha, family Scarabaeidae

Origin:

early 18th century: from cock1 (expressing size or vigour) + chafer

cockchafer in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of cockchafer in the US English dictionary