moorfowl

American  

[moor-foul] / ˈmʊərˌfaʊl /

noun

Chiefly British.

plural

moorfowls,

plural

moorfowl

1. the red grouse.

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moorfowl British  

/ ˈmɔː-, ˈmʊəˌfaʊl /

noun

1. (in British game laws) an archaic name for red grouse Compare heathfowl

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Etymology

Origin of moorfowl

First recorded in 1500–10; moor ¹ + fowl

Example Sentences

Yet here is a man, a little crazed perhaps, who finds dueling a pitiable farce and who would rather watch the love-antics of moorfowl at sunrise than slaughter them.

From Time Magazine Archive

Already he had struck a fine moorfowl that ran amongst the gorse and I a hare that sat upright beneath a leafy beech, thinking himself well hidden.

From Cedric, the Forester by Marshall, Bernard Gay

Now and again a woodmouse scampered on fallen log, a hare sprang away from her form, or a moorfowl scuttled to cover in the bracken.

From Cedric, the Forester by Marshall, Bernard Gay

“Is it the same Mr. Mowbray,” said Mr. Tyrrel, “who still holds the estate?—the old gentleman, you know, whom I had some dispute with”—— “About hunting moorfowl upon the Spring-well-head muirs?” said Meg.

From St. Ronan's Well by Scott, Walter, Sir

I hear of a disease among the moorfowl.

From Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Volume 6 by Lockhart, J. G. (John Gibson)