ˈbəgəˌbü sometimes ˈbu̇g- noun
( -s )
Etymology: alteration of earlier buggybow
1. : an imaginary object of fright : bugbear , bogey
they scurried home, seeing goblins and bugaboos in every shadow
2. : a source of concern
the bugaboo of inbreeding — W.L.McAtee
especially : something that causes fear or distress often out of proportion to its actual importance in a situation
the old bugaboo of insufficient purchasing power … is real enough to warrant deep study and careful planning — Nathan Robertson