hen hawk

noun

1. chicken hawk ( def 1 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of hen hawk¹

An Americanism dating back to 1800–10

Example Sentences

I knew that old hen-hawk meant trouble for me—and the trouble came, all right.

From Project Gutenberg

I spent an hour to-day trying to shoot a hen-hawk that's been hovering about the shack all afternoon.

From Project Gutenberg

We discovered a hen-hawk's nest on the top of a tall oak thirty or forty rods from the shanty and approached it cautiously.

From Project Gutenberg

There's a certain Walter Butler in this town, arrived like a hen-hawk from the clouds, and peep!

From Project Gutenberg

Indeed, seen walking at a distance, he looks like our Bobolink expanded to the size of a large hen-hawk.

From Project Gutenberg