goatsucker

goatsucker [goht-suhk-er] Word Origin noun

1. nightjar(def 2).

Origin of goatsucker 1605–15; so called because formerly believed to suck the milk of goats; translation of Latin caprimulgus, itself translation of Greek aigothḗlas British Dictionary definitions for goatsucker goatsucker noun

1. US and Canadian any nocturnal bird of the family Caprimulgidae, esp Caprimulgus europaeus (European nightjar): order Caprimulgiformes.Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): nightjar