godwit
(ˈgɒdwɪt)
Also 6 godwitte, -wipe, 7 -witt, -wike, gotwit, 8–9 goodwit, 9 godwyn.
[Origin obscure.]
A marsh-bird (genus Limosa) resembling a curlew, but having the bill slightly curved upwards. The black-tailed godwit (L. ægocephala or melanura) and the bar-tailed godwit (L. lapponica or rufa) are British species; others are natives of northern Europe and America. Formerly in great repute, when fattened, for the table.
In 16–17th c. often used to render L. attagen, Sp. francolin.
| [1544 Turner Avium Præcip. Hist. C 3 b, Erasmus..attagenam auem palustrem facit & uarijs maculis distinctam, quod si satis exploratum mihi esset Anglorum godwittam sive fedoam attagenam esse..auderem adfirmare.] 1552 Elyot Dict., Attagen and Attagena, a byrde, which is found in Ionia..Thei are deceiued that take him for a wood⁓cocke, it is most lyke a byrde called amonge vs a godwitte. 1579 J. Jones Preserv. Bodie & Soule i. xiv. 26 Dottrel, Snipe, Godwipe, Dicken [etc.]. 1591 Percivall Sp. Dict., Francolin, a godwit, Attagen. 1609 B. Jonson Sil. Wom. i. iv. 38 Halfe a dozen of phesants, a dozen or two of godwits. 1612 Naworth Househ. Bks. (Surtees) 25 A godwike and a redshanke, iijd. 1620 Shelton Quix. IV. viii. 56 A God-wit of Milan, or a Pheasant of Rome. a 1637 B. Jonson Horace, Praises Country Life 53 Th' Ionian God-wit, nor the Ginny hen Could not goe downe my belly then More sweet than Olives. 1678 Ray Willughby's Ornith. 292 The Godwit, called in some places the Yarwhelp, or Yarwip, in others, the Stone-Plover. a 1682 Sir T. Browne Norf. Birds Wks. 1835 IV. 319 Godwyts..accounted the daintiest dish in England; and, I think, for the bigness, of the biggest price. 1766 Pennant Zool. (1768) II. 353 The red godwit is superior in size to the common kind. 1853 Kingsley Hypatia xi. 129 The whistle of the godwit and curlew, came ringing up the windings of the glen. 1863 Baring-Gould Iceland 412 The black tailed godwit arrives the last week in April. |