dowitcher

noun

dow·​itch·​er ˈdau̇-i-chər How to pronounce dowitcher (audio)
plural dowitchers also dowitcher
: any of several long-billed wading birds (especially Limnodromus griseus and L. scolopaceus of the family Scolopacidae) related to the sandpipers

Examples of dowitcher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the Berkshires, three merlins were seen in Williamstown, a least bittern in Richmond, three red crossbills in Pittsfield, and a great egret and short-billed dowitcher in Sheffield. BostonGlobe.com, 17 July 2021 Be sure to bring your binoculars: dowitchers, western sandpipers and American avocets are all on display. Peter Fish, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Feb. 2018 Feeding together in tight flocks for safety, plovers, dowitchers and sandpipers feed skittishly. Dave Taft, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dowitcher.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably of Iroquoian origin; akin to Oneida tawístawis dowitcher

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dowitcher was in 1841

Dictionary Entries Near dowitcher

Cite this Entry

“Dowitcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dowitcher. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on dowitcher

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!