barnacle goose

noun

a wild goose, Branta leucopsis, of northern Europe and Greenland.

barnacle goose

noun

a N European goose, Branta leucopsis , that has a black-and-white head and body and grey wings
a former name for brent goose

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Word History and Origins

1760–70; earlier barnacle, Middle English bernacle; compare Middle French bernacle, New Latin bernacula, all derivative of earlier Middle English bernak, bernekke, Anglo-Latin bernaca, Old French bernaque, of uncertain origin

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Word History and Origins

Origin of barnacle goose¹

C13 bernekke , related to Late Latin bernaca , from the belief that the goose developed from a shellfish; ultimate origin obscure

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