Dotterel \Dot"ter*el\, n. [From {Dote}, v. i.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) A European bird of the Plover family ({Eudromias, or Charadrius, morinellus}). It is tame and easily taken, and is popularly believed to imitate the movements of the fowler. In catching of dotterels we see how the foolish bird playeth the ape in gestures. -- Bacon. Note: The ringed dotterel (or ring plover) is {Charadrius hiaticula}. 2. A silly fellow; a dupe; a gull. --Barrow.