phle·bot·o·mus \flə̇ˈbäd.əməs\noun Etymology: New Latin, from Late Latin, lancet, fleam — more at fleam 1.capitalized: a genus of small delicate bloodsucking sand flies (family Psychodidae) including one (P. papatasii) that is the carrier of phlebotomus fever and others suspected of carrying other human diseases 2.pluralphleboto·mi\-d.əˌmī\alsophlebotomuses: a fly of the genus Phlebotomus