gallinipper

English

Etymology

18thC. Origin unknown. Earlier forms were gurnipper and gal-knipper. Second element is probably nipper; first element may have become influenced by galley.

Noun

gallinipper (plural gallinippers)

1. (US) Any large insect that bites, for example, certain large mosquitos.
   • 2011, Roger Abrahams, African American Folktales: Stories from Black Traditions in the New World, page 55:

     And when darkness comes and they leave off, the mosquitoes and the gallinippers join hands to take their place and suck out blood and annoy us until the first day brings its light.

Further reading

• “gallinipper”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.