Stockdove \Stock"dove`\, n. (Zo["o]l.) A common European wild pigeon ({Columba [ae]nas}), so called because at one time believed to be the stock of the domestic pigeon, or, according to some, from its breeding in the stocks, or trunks, of trees. Note: The name is applied, also, to other related species, as the Indian stockdove ({Palumb[ae]na Eversmanni}).