Main Entry:

wood·cock

Pronunciation:

\ˈwu̇d-ˌkäk\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural woodcocks

Date:

before 12th century

1or plural woodcock : a widespread Old World woodland game bird (Scolopax rusticola) of the sandpiper family that has a long bill and large eyes ; also : a smaller related woodland game bird (S. minor syn. Philohela minor) of eastern North America2 [from the ease with which the woodcock is snared] archaic : simpleton