GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 2 definitions 

  1.       

    Bittern , n. [OE. bitoure, betore, bitter, fr. F. butor; of unknown origin.] (Zool.) A wading bird of the genus Botaurus, allied to the herons, of various species.
    1913 Webster
    ☞ The common European bittern is Botaurus stellaris. It makes, during the brooding season, a noise called by Dryden bumping, and by Goldsmith booming. The American bittern is Botaurus lentiginosus, and is also called stake-driver and meadow hen. See Stake-driver.
    1913 Webster
    The name is applied to other related birds, as the least bittern (Ardetta exilis), and the sun bittern.
    1913 Webster
    
      
    
  2.       

    Stake-driver , n. (Zool.) The common American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus); -- so called because one of its notes resembles the sound made in driving a stake into the mud. Called also meadow hen, and Indian hen.
    1913 Webster

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