water hen meaning and definition

WATER HEN noun

Definition of water hen (noun)

1. a coot found in North America
   • synonyms: American coot, Fulica americana, marsh hen, mud hen
2. any of various small aquatic birds of the genus Gallinula distinguished from rails by a frontal shield and a resemblance to domestic hens
   • synonyms: gallinule, marsh hen, swamphen