n.; pl. Bogeymen /plu>. A goblin; a bugbear; a bogey{ 1 }. This is the form used by parents to frighten children; as, if you don't eat your vegetables, the bogeyman will get you.
Syn. -- bogey. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

{ } 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.”
Syn. -- Hobgoblin; goblin; specter; ogre; scarecrow; booger; bugaboo; bugbear. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]