from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Woodcock \Wood"cock`\, n. [AS. wuducoc.]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Zool.) Any one of several species of long-billed
limicoline birds belonging to the genera {Scolopax} and
{Philohela}. They are mostly nocturnal in their habits,
and are highly esteemed as game birds.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The most important species are the European ({Scolopax
rusticola}) and the American woodcock ({Philohela
minor}), which agree very closely in appearance and
habits.
[1913 Webster]
2. Fig.: A simpleton. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
If I loved you not, I would laugh at you, and see
you
Run your neck into the noose, and cry, "A woodcock!"
--Beau. & Fl.
[1913 Webster]
{Little woodcock}.
(a) The common American snipe.
(b) The European snipe.
{Sea woodcock fish}, the bellows fish.
{Woodcock owl}, the short-eared owl ({Asio brachyotus}).
{Woodcock shell}, the shell of certain mollusks of the genus
{Murex}, having a very long canal, with or without spines.
{Woodcock snipe}. See under {Snipe}.
[1913 Webster]