ˈsheep-louse
Also † sheep's louse: see sheep n. 9.
[Cf. G. schaflaus, Du. schaapsluis.]
A louse, Trichodectes sphærocephalus, which infests the wool of sheep. Also = sheep-tick.
| c 1440 Promp. Parv. 445/1 Schepys lowce, pego, askarida. 1530 Palsgr. 266/2 Schepes louce, pov de movton. |
| 14.. Nom. in Wr.-Wülcker 706/29 Hec ascarida, a scheplows. 1523–34 Fitzherb. Husb. §44 Brome salue..shal..kyll the shepe lyce, and it shall not hurte the woll. 1688 Holme Armoury ii. ix. 190/1 Insects... Such as have no Wings, but eight Feet, as..Sheep Louse. 1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. xxxiv. III. 473 Melophagus, the sheep-louse. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm II. 152 Both these vermin are destroyed by the same means as the sheep-louse. |