old squaw

American  

Or oldsquaw

noun

1. a sea duck, Clangula hyemalis, of Arctic and subarctic regions.

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old squaw British  

noun

1. Also called: oldwife.  a long-tailed northern sea duck, Clangula hyemalis, having dark wings and a white-and-brown head and body

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Etymology

Origin of old squaw

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

old squaw

The flowers were gone; the birds flocked in great clouds, and among them were eider and old squaw ducks that kept to the rivers and beaches except when they migrated south.

From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George

She went to the principal house, where she supposed the most valuable articles must have been deposited, and on entering, was met by the old squaw who had the superintendence, who demanded what she wanted.

From Noble Deeds of American Women With Biographical Sketches of Some of the More Prominent by Clement, J. (Jesse)

But Miss Van Winkle took her naps at home after that, though she still thinks of the old squaw every time she looks at the moon.

From Harper's Young People, July 6, 1880 An Illustrated Weekly by Various

What more might have come Lydia did not know for an old squaw came tottering into the fire glow.

From Lydia of the Pines by Morrow, Honoré

With his own hatchet he cut the ropes, and marching the white captive through the mob landed him in the lodge of an old squaw.

From Boys' Book of Indian Warriors and Heroic Indian Women by Sabin, Edwin L. (Edwin Legrand)