wigeon

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   any of several medium-sized dabbling ducks of the genus Mareca, especially the Eurasian or American wigeon

   A male wigeon whistled from the edge of the wintering flock.

Probably borrowed in the early sixteenth century from French vigeon or an older related bird name. Widgeon is a long-established spelling variant. The origin may be imitative of the duck's whistling call.

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