cotton stainer

noun

: any of several bugs (genus Dysdercus) that damage and stain the lint of developing cotton
especially : a red and brown bug (D. suturellus) that attacks cotton in the southern U.S.

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cotton stainer was in 1856

Dictionary Entries Near cotton stainer

Cite this Entry

“Cotton stainer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cotton%20stainer. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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