wildfowl

[ wahyld-foul ]

noun

1. a game bird, especially a wild duck, goose, or swan.

wildfowl

/ ˈwaɪldˌfaʊl /

noun

1. any bird that is hunted by man, esp any duck or similar aquatic bird
2. such birds collectively

Derived Forms

• ˈwildˌfowler, noun
• ˈwildˌfowling, adjectivenoun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wildfowl¹

before 1000; Middle English wilde foul, Old English wildefugl. See wild, fowl

Example Sentences

Probably in October, the Pilgrims met their Wampanoag neighbors for three days of feasting on wildfowl and venison.

From The Daily Beast

The air was so calm that the plaintive cries of thousands of wildfowl which covered the Point of Marsh struck faintly on our ears.

From Project Gutenberg

In summer, like the wildfowl, they disappear and go north to seek cool pastures in the Mongolian highlands.

From Project Gutenberg

Diametrically different—in cause and effect—is the case of wildfowl.

From Project Gutenberg

In five minutes they were all in the ocean, frisky as a school of porpoises, making enough noise to scare any wildfowl away.

From Project Gutenberg

Schoverling and Charlie employed the shotgun in turn, shooting from their horses, and stocking the whole camp with wildfowl.

From Project Gutenberg