Hypertext Webster Gateway: "coot"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Coot \Coot\ (k[=oo]t), n. [Cf. D. koet, W. cwtair; cwta short,
bodtailed + iar hen; cf. cwtau to dock. Cf. {Cut}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A wading bird with lobate toes, of the genus {Fulica}.
The common European or bald coot is {F. atra} (see
under {bald}); the American is {F. Americana}.
(b) The surf duck or scoter. In the United States all the
species of ({[OE]demia} are called coots. See
{Scoter}. ``As simple as a coot.'' --Halliwell.
2. A stupid fellow; a simpleton; as, a silly coot. [Colloq.]
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
coot
n : slaty-black slow-flying birds somewhat resembling ducks
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