breeze fly

Horsefly \Horse"fly`\, n.; pl. {Horseflies}.
   1. (Zool.) Any dipterous fly of the family {Tabanid[ae]},
      that stings horses, and sucks their blood.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: Of these flies there are numerous species, both in
         Europe and America. They have a large proboscis with
         four sharp lancets for piercing the skin. Called also
         {breeze fly}. See Illust. under {Diptera}, and {Breeze
         fly}.
         [1913 Webster]

   2. (Zool.) The horse tick or forest fly ({Hippobosca}).
      [1913 Webster]
    

Breeze \Breeze\, Breeze fly \Breeze" fly`\, n. [OE. brese, AS.
   bri['o]sa; perh. akin to OHG. brimissa, G. breme, bremse, D.
   brems, which are akin to G. brummen to growl, buzz, grumble,
   L. fremere to murmur; cf. G. brausen, Sw. brusa, Dan. bruse,
   to roar, rush.] (Zool.)
   A fly of various species, of the family {Tabanid[ae]}, noted
   for buzzing about animals, and tormenting them by sucking
   their blood; -- called also {horsefly}, and {gadfly}. They
   are among the largest of two-winged or dipterous insects. The
   name is also given to different species of botflies. [Written
   also {breese} and {brize}.]
   [1913 Webster]