cockroach
noun /ˈkɒkrəʊtʃ/
/ˈkɑːkrəʊtʃ/
(also North American English, informal roach)
- a large brown insect with wings, that lives in houses, especially where there is dirt
- The kitchens were discovered to be infested with cockroaches.
Word Originearly 17th cent. (as cacaroch): from Spanish cucaracha. The spelling change was due to association with cock and roach.