History of the word

• 1800s: term used in engineering for a horizontal forging press.
• 1886: "bulldozer" meant a large-caliber pistol and the person who wielded it.
• Around 1880: In the USA, a "bull-dose" was a large and efficient dose of any sort of medicine or punishment. 'Bull-dosing' meant a severe whipping or coercion, or other intimidation such as at gunpoint.
• Late 1800s: "bulldozing" meant using big force to push over or through any obstacle.
• 1930s: applied to the vehicle.

These appeared as early as 1929, but were known as "bull grader" blades, and the term "bulldozer blade" did not appear to come into widespread use until the mid 1930s, and now refers to the whole machine not just the attachment. In contemporary usage, "bulldozer" is often shortened to "dozer".