Sawfly \Saw"fly`\, n. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of hymenopterous insects belonging to the family Tenthredinid[ae]. The female usually has an ovipositor containing a pair of sawlike organs with which she makes incisions in the leaves or stems of plants in which to lay the eggs. The larv[ae] resemble those of Lepidoptera.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)