Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COOT, n. [D. koet; W. cwtiar, from cwta, short, bob-tailed.]

A fowl of the genus Fulica, frequenting lakes and other still waters. The common coot has a bald forehead, a black body, and lobated toes, and is about fifteen inches in length. It makes its nest among rushes, with grass and reeds, floating on the water.