Water hen \Wa"ter hen`\ 1. (Zo["o]l.) Any gallinule. 2. (Zo["o]l.) The common American coot.
water hen
n 1: North American coot [syn: {American coot}, {marsh hen}, {mud
hen}, {Fulica americana}]
2: any of various small aquatic birds of the genus Gallinula
distinguished from rails by a frontal shield and a
resemblance to domestic hens [syn: {gallinule}, {marsh hen},
{swamphen}]