goatsucker

[ goht-suhk-er ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

nightjar ( def 2 ).

goatsucker

/ ˈɡəʊtˌsʌkə /

noun

any nocturnal bird of the family Caprimulgidae, esp Caprimulgus europaeus ( European nightjar ): order Caprimulgiformes. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)nightjar

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Word History and Origins

Origin of goatsucker¹

1605–15; so called because formerly believed to suck the milk of goats; translation of Latin caprimulgus, itself translation of Greek aigothḗlas

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goat's-rue goaves

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