doughboy

[ doh-boi ]

noun

1. Informal. an American infantryman, especially in World War I.
2. a rounded mass of dough, boiled or steamed as a dumpling or deep-fried and served as a hot bread.

doughboy

/ ˈdəʊˌbɔɪ /

noun

1. informal.
   an infantryman, esp in World War I
2. dough that is boiled or steamed as a dumpling

Word History and Origins

Origin of doughboy¹

1675–85; dough + boy; sense “infantryman,” from mid-1860s, is obscurely derived; two plausible, but unsubstantiated claims: doughboy originally referred to the globular brass buttons on infantry uniforms, likened to the pastry; dough referred to a clay used to clean the white uniform belts

Example Sentences

He came on the little stage, first as a swaggering general, then as an admiral, last as a real doughboy of the United States Army.

From Project Gutenberg

Many of them were singing the national anthem of the doughboy, Hail!

From Project Gutenberg

He had gone a few yards when a doughboy jumped up out of a listening post and began to signal to him.

From Project Gutenberg

Six weeks ago I couldn't tell a doughboy officer from a cavalryman by the stripe down his legs.

From Project Gutenberg

Frequently I have seen the doughboy in Paris as well as in the other cities and towns and in our military camps in France.

From Project Gutenberg