sage hen

noun

1. the sage grouse, especially the female.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sage hen¹

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

With another he crushed a monsthrous sage hen, at wanst th' most threacherous an' th' hardiest iv th' beasts iv th' wild.

From Project Gutenberg

One of Loyd's men shot a sage hen, which is a species of grouse somewhat larger than a prairie hen.

From Project Gutenberg

Jonathan killed a sage hen to-day; we found it good, delicate flavored meat, much better than prairie hen.

From Project Gutenberg

The sly coyote, the simple antelope, and the cunning sage hen still hold sway as they did when I first traversed the country.

From Project Gutenberg

The sage grouse, or sage hen is the largest of the grouse of America, some of the males weighing as much as seven pounds.

From Project Gutenberg