sow bug

sow bug  (sou)

n. In both senses also called slater, wood louse; also called regionally doodlebug.

1. Any of various small terrestrial isopod crustaceans, chiefly of the genera Oniscus and Porcellio, commonly found under logs or stones and having an oval, segmented body.

2. A pill bug. See Usage Note at pill bug.

---

[From its piglike shape.]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

sow bug - terrestrial isopod having an oval segmented body (a shape like a sow) slater, woodlouse - any of various small terrestrial isopods having a flat elliptical segmented body; found in damp habitats genus Oniscus, Oniscus - type genus of the Oniscidae; woodlice that cannot roll into a ball genus Porcellio, Porcellio - Old World genus of isopod crustaceans