ˈgoatˌsucker
[A rendering of L. caprimulgus (f. capra goat + mulgēre to milk), tr. Gr. αἰγοθήλας (f. αἰγο-, αἴξ goat + θηλάζειν to suck); cf. goat-milker, goat 4 b.]
A name given to the bird Caprimulgus europæus, from a belief that it sucks the udders of goats. Also applied to other birds of the same genus, or of the family Caprimulgidæ.
| 1611 Cotgr., Grand merle, a Goat-sucker; a mountaine bird. 1676 Willughby Ornith. 70 Caprimulgus..The Goat-sucker. 1678 Ray Willughby's Ornith. ii. iii. 108 The American Goat-sucker, called Ibijau by the Brasilians, Noitibo by the Portugues. 1834 McMurtrie Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 129 Goatsuckers live solitarily, and never venture abroad, except at twilight, and in the night during fine weather. 1884 J. G. Wood in Sunday Mag. Apr. 246/2 It is the Nightjar..absurdly..called the Goatsucker. |