Dotterel

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A European bird of the Plover family (Eudromias, or Charadrius, morinellus). It is tame and easily taken, and is popularly believed to imitate the movements of the fowler. In catching of dotterels we see how the foolish bird playeth the ape in gestures. Bacon.

2. A silly fellow; a dupe; a gull. Barrow.

Part of speech: adjective (a.)

Decayed. "Some old dotterel trees." [Obs.] Ascham.