ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
Etymology: cock (I) + chafer; perhaps from its size
: a large European scarablike beetle ( Melolontha melolontha ) that is destructive to vegetation, the larva feeding on roots, the adult on the foliage ; also : any of various related beetles of similar habits formerly constituting a subfamily of Scarabeidae but now often made a separate family, Melolonthidae (as the pasture cockchafers or the New World rose chafer) — compare june beetle ; see grass-grub