muckworm

[ muhk-wurm ]

/ ˈmʌkˌwɜrm /

(not in technical use) the larva of any of several insects, as the dung beetle, which lives in or beneath manure.

a miser.

Origin of muckworm

First recorded in 1590–1600; muck + worm

muckle, muckluck, muckrake, muckrakers, mucksweat, muckworm, mucky, muckymuck, mucluc, muco-, mucocele

He is as handsome a young fellow as ever was hatched from a muckworm.

The International Magazine, Vol. IV. New-York, December 1, 1851. No. V. |Various
You may hang the muckworm, and what shall that profit any one?

The Lion's Skin |Rafael Sabatini
The "muckworm" Cottington, as Browning calls him, suggested the sentence which was carried out.

Browning's England |Helen Archibald Clarke
"In that he lied like the muckworm that he is," I exclaimed.

The Strolling Saint |Raphael Sabatini

Peace, Muckworm, or my Sword shall stop thy Breath for ever.

The Stolen Heiress |Susanna Centlivre

muckworm

/ (ˈmʌkˌwɜːm) /

any larva or worm that lives in mud

informal a miser