botfly

noun

bot·​fly ˈbät-ˌflī How to pronounce botfly (audio)
: any of various stout dipteran flies (family Oestridae) with larvae parasitic in cavities or tissues of various mammals including humans

Examples of botfly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The video shows a type of botfly, Cuterebra ruficus, experts told USA TODAY. Dezimey Kum, USA TODAY, 28 July 2022 When one of these pests bites you, the botfly eggs make their way onto your skin and then underneath it. Outside Online, 14 July 2015 On the third day, when Robey opened the cooler, there was still ice inside—but also a writhing pile of botfly maggots all over the meat. Will Brantley, Field & Stream, 28 Sep. 2020 But there’s no vaccine for malaria, chikungunya, or the human botfly. Nell Zink, Harper's magazine, 28 Oct. 2019 This video is about the botfly's horrific larvae, which grow and feed in human flesh. Matt Simon, WIRED, 25 May 2018 Behold the botfly, whose larva burrows into your skin, feeds on your flesh, and erupts out in alien fashion. Matt Simon, WIRED, 11 Apr. 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'botfly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1775, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of botfly was circa 1775

Dictionary Entries Near botfly

Cite this Entry

“Botfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/botfly. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

botfly

noun
bot·​fly ˈbät-ˌflī How to pronounce botfly (audio)
: any of various stout two-winged flies whose larvae are parasitic in various mammals

Medical Definition

botfly

noun
bot·​fly ˈbät-ˌflī How to pronounce botfly (audio)
plural botflies
: any of various stout dipteran flies of the family Oestridae that have larvae parasitic in cavities or tissues of various mammals including humans
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!