bumble-bee
(ˈbʌmb(ə)lˈbiː)
[f. stem of bumble v.1 + bee1; cf. bumble n.1]
A large bee of the genus Bombus; a humble-bee.
| 1530 Palsgr. 460/1, I bomme, as a bombyll bee dothe. 1678 H. More Lett. 25 May in Glanvil Sadduc. (1681) Hunting of Butter-flies and Bumble-bees. 1794 S. Williams Vermont 129 There is a species called with us the bumble bee. 1881 Proc. Berw. Nat. Club IX. No. 3. 571 A most unusual number of wasps and bumble bees. |