plašilo

1. (in a field or garden) scarecrow
   Deda je napravio plašilo za ptice u bašti. — Grandpa made a scarecrow for the birds in the garden.
2. bogeyman; bugaboo
   Inflacija se često koristi kao plašilo pred izbore. — Inflation is often used as a bogeyman before elections.

For a scarecrow in a field, strašilo is the more common word.