Word Study
bumblebee
CIDE DICTIONARY
bumblebee, n. [OE. bumblen to make a humming noise (dim. of bum, v. i.) + bee. Cf. Humblebee.].
A large bee of the genus Bombus , sometimes called humblebee ; -- so named from its sound. [1913 Webster]
" There are many species. All gather honey, and store it in the empty cocoons after the young have come out." [1913 Webster]
For further exploring for "bumblebee" in Webster Dictionary Online