goatsucker

2 definitions found

goatsucker - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Goatsucker \Goat"suck`er\, n. (Zool.)
     One of several species of insectivorous birds, belonging to
     Caprimulgus and allied genera, esp. the European species
     (Caprimulgus Europ[ae]us); -- so called from the mistaken
     notion that it sucks goats. The European species is also
     goat-milker, goat owl, goat chaffer, fern owl, night hawk
     , nightjar, night churr, churr-owl, gnat hawk,
     and dorhawk.
     [1913 Webster]

goatsucker - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  goatsucker
      n 1: mainly crepuscular or nocturnal nonpasserine birds with
           mottled greyish-brown plumage and large eyes; feed on
           insects [syn: goatsucker, nightjar, caprimulgid]