water hen

or water·hen

noun

1. moorhen ( def 1 ).
2. the American coot, Fulica americana.

water hen

noun

1. another name for gallinule

Word History and Origins

Origin of water hen¹

First recorded in 1520–30

Example Sentences

The little black water-hen came out of the river and they fed it.

From Project Gutenberg

They also saw two species of ibis wading about in the marsh, and a gigantic water-hen almost as big as a turkey.

From Project Gutenberg

The white-breasted water-hen (Gallinula phoenicura) is a bird that must be familiar to all.

From Project Gutenberg

The water-hen is a black bird about the size of the average bazaar fowl, with a white face, throat and breast.

From Project Gutenberg

You may test this whenever you have the good fortune to capture a young water-hen.

From Project Gutenberg