[ noun ] an imaginary monster used to frighten children <noun.person>
Boogeyman \Boog"ey*man\, Bogeyman \Bo"gey*man\, n. Something frightful, as a specter; anything imaginary that causes needless fright; something used to excite needless fear; also, something really dangerous, or an imaginary monster, used to frighten children, etc. ``Go to sleep or the Boogeyman will get you.''