crawlers

Noun

crawler (plural crawlers)

1. A child who is able to creep using its hands and knees but is not able to walk.
2. A crawl swimmer.
3. A tractor crawler, a motorized vehicle that uses caterpillar tracks instead of wheels.
4. (Internet) A software bot that autonomously follows connected paths such as links between web pages.
   • Crawler-based search engines have three major elements. The first is the spider, also called the crawler, which visits a web page, reads it, and then follows links to other pages within the site.2008, Alex Michael, Ben Salter, Marketing Through Search Optimization, Routledge, →ISBN, page xii

   Synonyms:

   spider

5. A mobile stage in the development of stationary hemipteran insects such as scale insects—generally the first instar.
6. (UK, obsolete, slang) A cab that is driven slowly along while its driver looks out for a fare.
   • MATERIALS required: Two hanks of crepe or plain silk (this amount makes sleeves, also directions for which are given, though the crawler in the photograph is sleeveless); […]1930, The Homestead, Bloemfontein, →OCLC, page 28, column 1

See all 9 meanings of crawler