woodcock

n. [ AS. wuducoc. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Zool.) Any one of several species of long-billed limicoline birds belonging to the genera Scolopax and Philohela. They are mostly nocturnal in their habits, and are highly esteemed as game birds. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The most important species are the European (Scolopax rusticola) and the American woodcock (Philohela minor), which agree very closely in appearance and habits. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fig.: A simpleton. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

If I loved you not, I would laugh at you, and see you
Run your neck into the noose, and cry, “A woodcock!” Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

Little woodcock. (a) The common American snipe. (b) The European snipe. --
Sea woodcock fish, the bellows fish. --
Woodcock owl, the short-eared owl (Asio brachyotus). --
Woodcock shell, the shell of certain mollusks of the genus Murex, having a very long canal, with or without spines. --
Woodcock snipe. See under Snipe. [ 1913 Webster ]