horsefly
/
ˈhɔːsˌflaɪ
/
noun
(
pl
)
-flies
1.
any large stout-bodied dipterous fly of the family
Tabanidae,
the females of which suck the blood of mammals, esp horses, cattle, and man
Also called
gadfly,
cleg
Word Origin and History for
horsefly
n.
late 14c., from
horse
(n.) +
fly
(n.).