coot

• POS: Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

coot, n. [Cf. D. koet, W. cwtair; cwta short, bodtailed + iar hen; cf. cwtau to dock. Cf. Cut.].

•  A wading bird with lobate toes, of the genus Fulica. The common European or bald coot is Fulica atra (see under bald); the American is Fulica Americana  Halliwell.  [1913 Webster]
•  A stupid fellow; a simpleton; as, a silly coot.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

coot, n.
1 any black aquatic bird of the genus Fulica, esp. F. atra with the upper mandible extended backwards to form a white plate on the forehead.
2 colloq. a stupid person.

Etymology

ME, prob. f. LG