Stockdove \Stock"dove`\, n. (Zool.) A common European wild pigeon ({Columba aenas}), so called because at one time believed to be the stock of the domestic pigeon, or, according to some, from its breeding in the stocks, or trunks, of trees. [1913 Webster] Note: The name is applied, also, to other related species, as the Indian stockdove ({Palumbaena Eversmanni}). [1913 Webster]