bufflehead

[ buhf-uhl-hed ]

noun

1. a small North American duck, Bucephala albeola, the male of which has bushy head plumage.

bufflehead

/ ˈbʌfəlˌhɛd /

noun

1. a small North American diving duck, Bucephala (or Glaucionetta ) albeola : the male has black-and-white plumage and a fluffy head Also calledbutterball

Other Words From

• buffle·headed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bufflehead¹

1855–60, Americanism; buffle ( buff ¹ ) + head

Word History and Origins

Origin of bufflehead¹

C17 buffle from obsolete buffle wild ox (see buff ¹), referring to the duck's head

Example Sentences

You tip this ol' bufflehead into sea,' you said, 'an' gormed if I don't give 'ee a gould savrin.'

From Project Gutenberg

There is one bufflehead among them—no, two; the rest are coots,' I replied.

From Project Gutenberg