Shelduck
/ˈʃɛl.dʌk/noun
A large, brightly marked duck of the genus Tadorna, especially the common shelduck of Eurasia.
Did you know?The first element, “sheld,” was an old word for something parti-colored or boldly marked, likely influenced by the duck’s contrasting plumage and possibly its resemblance to a shield.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*skelduz
“Shield; a protective piece of defensive equipment”
Old English
Old English
scield
“Shield; a protective defense”
Middle English
Middle English
sheld
“Variegated, spotted, or parti-colored”
16th Century
English
sheld duck
“A duck with strikingly contrasting or variegated plumage”
Modern English
English
shelduck
“A large, brightly marked duck of the genus Tadorna”