water hen Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a coot found in North America
    Fulica americana; marsh hen; mud hen; American coot.
  2. noun any of various small aquatic birds of the genus Gallinula distinguished from rails by a frontal shield and a resemblance to domestic hens
    marsh hen; swamphen; gallinule.

WordNet

Wa"ter hen`
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) Any gallinule.
  2. (Zoöl.) The common American coot.

Webster 1913