bittern

Plural: bitterns

Noun

• A secretive wading bird, known for its booming call.
• relatively small compact tawny-brown heron with nocturnal habits and a booming cry; found in marshes
• Several bird species in the Botaurinae subfamily of the heron family Ardeidae.
• The liquor remaining after halite (common salt) has been harvested from saline water (brine).
• The saline substance added to soy milk to coagulate it as a primary step in the production of tofu.
• A very bitter compound of quassia, cocculus indicus, etc., used by fraudulent brewers in adulterating beer.

Examples

• Playing BITTERN was a rare find, much like spotting the elusive bird itself.

Related Words

Animals, bumble