Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A name of the European bittern, Botaurus stellaris.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun (Zoöl.) The European bittern.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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Dick was right, it was the butterbump, as the fen people called the great brown bittern, which passed its days in the thickest parts of the bog, and during the darkness rose on high, to circle round and over the unfortunate frogs that were to form its supper, and utter its peculiar bellowing roar.
Dick o' the Fens A Tale of the Great East Swamp George Manville Fenn 1870
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"Where am I?" said Dick aloud; and then, as the peculiar bellowing noise came apparently nearer, "Why, it's the butterbump!"
Dick o' the Fens A Tale of the Great East Swamp George Manville Fenn 1870
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