Water beetle \Wa"ter bee"tle\ (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of aquatic beetles belonging to {Dytiscus} and allied genera of the family {Dytiscid[ae]}, and to various genera of the family {Hydrophilid[ae]}. These beetles swim with great agility, the fringed hind legs acting together like oars.
water beetle n : any of numerous aquatic beetles usually having a smooth oval body and flattened hind legs for swimming