Bittern

n. [O. & Prov. Eng. bitore, bittor, bittour, bitter, Fr. butor, Sp. bitor, D. butoor, L. Lat. butio, butor, butorius, for N. Lat. botaurus, bostaurus, Lat. taurus, Plin. 10, 42, 57. Cf. BITTOUR.] (Ornith.) A wading-bird of Europe, related to the herons, called Botaurus vulgaris (Ardea stellaris of Linn.). It has long legs and neck, and stalks among reeds and sedge, feeding upon fish. It makes a singular noise, called by Dryden bumping, and by Goldsmith booming. Other species also of the genus are called bittern. The bittern rising with hollow scream. W. Irving.