Dotterel
/ˈdɒtərəl/noun
A small plover-like shorebird, especially the European dotterel.
Did you know?The name reflects an old belief that dotterels were unusually tame or foolish because they reportedly allowed people to approach closely and imitate their movements.
Etymological Timeline
Late Middle English
English
dotrel
“A foolish or simple person; later, the tame little plover”
15th Century
English
dotterel
“A small plover believed to be exceptionally foolish and easy to catch”
16th Century
English
dotterell
“The bird now known as the dotterel”
Modern English
English
dotterel
“A small shorebird of the plover family, especially Charadrius morinellus”