Water hen \Wa"ter hen`\ 1. (Zo["o]l.) Any gallinule. 2. (Zo["o]l.) The common American coot.
water hen n 1: North American coot [syn: {American coot}, {marsh hen}, {mud hen}, {Fulica americana}] 2: any of various small aquatic birds of the genus Gallinula distinguished from rails by a frontal shield and a resemblance to domestic hens [syn: {gallinule}, {marsh hen}, {swamphen}]