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

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 alluded to an old squaw, who had been her keeper in the cave.

From Graham's Magazine Vol XXXIII No. 1 July 1848 by Conrad, Robert Taylor

At length the countenance of an old squaw lighted up, and in low tones she said, "He was a bery good smoker."

From The Lost Hunter A Tale of Early Times by Adams, John Turvill

Fainter grew his breath from pain, the watching soldiers Motioned her away, she turned from them in silence, Followed by the old squaw, glided from the cabin.

From Pocahontas. A Poem by Castleman, Virginia Carter

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