Word Study
smew
CIDE DICTIONARY
smew, n. [Perhaps for ice-mew.].
small European merganser (Mergus albellus ) which has a white crest; -- called also smee , smee duck , white merganser , and white nun . [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
smew, n. a small merganser, Mergus albellus.
Etymology
17th c., rel. to smeath, smee = smew, widgeon, etc.
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