[f. stem of BUMBLE v.1 + BEE1; cf. BUMBLE sb.1] A large bee of the genus Bombus; a humble-bee.

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1530.  Palsgr., 460/1. I bomme, as a bombyll bee dothe.

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1678.  H. More, Lett., 25 May, in Glanvil, Sadduc. (1681). Hunting of Butter-flies and Bumble-bees.

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1794.  S. Williams, Vermont, 129. There is a species called with us the bumble bee.

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1881.  Proc. Berw. Nat. Club, IX. No. 3. 571. A most unusual number of wasps and bumble bees.

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