Main Entry: wood·cock

Pronunciation: \ˈwu̇d-ˌkäk\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural woodcocks

Date: before 12th century

1 or 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 America
2 [from the ease with which the woodcock is snared] archaic : simpleton