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dowitcher

noun dow·itch·er \ ˈdau̇-i-chər \

Updated on: 2 Mar 2018

Definition of dowitcher

plural dowitchers also dowitcher

: any of several long-billed wading birds (especially Limnodromus griseus and L. scolopaceus of the family Scolopacidae) related to the sandpipers

Recent Examples of dowitcher from the Web

Be sure to bring your binoculars: dowitchers, western sandpipers and American avocets are all on display.

— peter fish, San Francisco Chronicle, "The 5 best hikes in Napa for wine lovers," 21 Feb. 2018
Feeding together in tight flocks for safety, plovers, dowitchers and sandpipers feed skittishly.

— dave taft, New York Times, "A Shorebird to Watch," 15 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dowitcher.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dowitcher

probably of Iroquoian origin; akin to Oneida tawístawis dowitcher

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1841

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dowitcher

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