ptarmigan

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   large Arctic and subarctic grouse with feathered feet and usually white winter plumage

2. 2
   noun

   Any of three species of small grouse in the genus Lagopus found in subarctic tundra areas of North America and Eurasia.

From Scottish Gaelic tarmachan, of unknown origin. The pt- comes from a mistaken belief in a Greek origin, as if related to ptero- (“wing”).

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