CHIGOE

chigoe, chigger, chigoe flea, Tunga penetrans

(noun) small tropical flea; the fertile female burrows under the skin of the host including humans

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

chigoe (plural chigoes)

A small tropical flea, Tunga penetrans, whose females burrow under the skin of animals, including humans, and lay their eggs, causing strong irritation and sores.

Synonyms

• (Tunga penetrans): chegoe, chegre, chigger, chigre, chique, jigger

Source: Wiktionary

Chig"oe, Chig"re, n. Etym: [Cf. F. chigue, perh. fr. Catalan chic small, Sp. chico; or of Peruvian origin.] (Zoöl.)

Definition: A species of flea (Pulex penetrans), common in the West Indies and South America, which often attacks the feet or any exposed part of the human body, and burrowing beneath the skin produces great irritation. When the female is allowed to remain and breed, troublesome sores result, which are sometimes dangerous. See Jigger. [Written also chegre, chegoe, chique, chigger, jigger.]

Note: The name is sometimes erroneously given to certain mites or ticks having similar habits.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition