Definitions

1. noun

a mythical creature or personified embodiment of a child’s fear or nightmare; a monster or ogre that is used as a threat to discipline a child

“As a child, she was terrified of the boogeyman, but now she realizes it was just her parents making up a story to scare her into behaving.”

2. verb

to frighten or intimidate someone by describing a mythical creature or person

“The mother boogeyman-ed her kids by telling them about a monster that lived under their bed.”