Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BUZZ'ARD, n. [D. buzaard; G. bussaar, busshard; It. bozzago; Fr. buze, buse or busard; Pers. بَازْ bauz, a hawk.]

1. A species of Falco, or hawk, the Buteo; a rapacious, but sluggish bird; the breast usually of a yellowish white; the upper parts of a deep brown. In some parts of America, it is called the great Hen-hawk, from its feeding on poultry. – Pennant. Encyc.
2. A blockhead; a dunce. – Johnson.