from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Merganser \Mer*gan"ser\, n. [Sp. merg['a]nsar, fr. mergo a diver
(L. mergus, fr. mergere to dip, dive) + ['a]nsar goose, L.
anser.] (Zool.)
Any bird of the genus {Mergus} ({Merganser}), and allied
genera of the subfamily Merginae. They are allied to the
ducks, but have a sharply serrated bill, eat fish, and dive
for food. Also called {fish duck}.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
Note: The red-breasted merganser ({Merganser serrator})
inhabits both hemispheres. It is called also {sawbill},
{harle}, and {sheldrake}. The American merganser
({Merganser Americanus}.) and the hooded merganser
({Lophodytes cucullatus}) are well-known species.
{White merganser}, the smew or white nun.
[1913 Webster]