Word Study
cockchafer
CIDE DICTIONARY
cockchafer, n. [See Chafer the beetle.].
A beetle of the genus Melolontha (esp. Melolontha vulgaris ) and allied genera; -- called also May bug , chafer , or dorbeetle . [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
cockchafer, n. a large nocturnal beetle, Melolontha melolontha, which feeds on leaves and whose larva feeds on roots of crops etc. Also called May-bug.
Etymology
perh. f. COCK(1) as expressing size or vigour + CHAFER
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