Woodcock \Wood"cock`\, n. [AS. wuducoc.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of long-billed limicoline birds belonging to the genera Scolopax and Philohela. They are mostly nocturnal in their habits, and are highly esteemed as game birds.

Note: The most important species are the European (Scolopax rusticola) and the American woodcock (Philohela minor), which agree very closely in appearance and habits.

2. Fig.: A simpleton. [Obs.]

If I loved you not, I would laugh at you, and see you Run your neck into the noose, and cry, ``A woodcock!'' --Beau. & Fl.

Little woodcock.
   (a) The common American snipe.
   (b) The European snipe.

Sea woodcock fish, the bellows fish.

Woodcock owl, the short-eared owl (Asio brachyotus).

Woodcock shell, the shell of certain mollusks of the genus Murex, having a very long canal, with or without spines.

Woodcock snipe. See under Snipe.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)