gallinipper (galiniper)

[Origin obscure; by some supposed to stand for * gall nipper (?), in oblique double allusion to the gall-fly and to the galling nature of the mosquito's attentions: see gall3, gall2, and nipper.] A large mosquito. [U. S.] He lay there several minutes covered with ravenous insects, when the narrator, to test his powers of endurance, applied the burning end of his cigar to the poor fellow's back. He jumped up not promise to keep off the gallinippers?" exclaiming, "Did you S. De Vere, American isms, p. 392.