I. ˈhəm-ˌbəg noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1751
1.
a. : something designed to deceive and mislead
b. : a willfully false, deceptive, or insincere person
2. : an attitude or spirit of pretense and deception
3. : nonsense , drivel
4. British : a hard usually mint-flavored candy
Synonyms: see imposture
• hum·bug·gery -ˌbə-g(ə-)rē noun
II. verb
( hum·bugged ; hum·bug·ging )
Date: 1751
transitive verb
: deceive , hoax
intransitive verb
: to engage in a hoax or deception