Grawlix
Pronunciation: \ˈgrɔ:lɪks\
Function: noun
: A string of typographical symbols used (especially in comic strips) to represent an obscenity or swearword.
Etymology: unknown, possible onomatopoeia: according to wiktionary, looks to have been coined by Beetle Bailey cartoonist Mort Walker around 1964.
Fauxcabulary Origin: Typography masters Jonathan Hoefler and Tobias Frere-Jones answer the question, “What is the name of that string of non-alphanumeric characters that indicate cursing?”
n. A string of typographical symbols used (especially in comic strips) to represent an obscenity or swear word.