The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Goatsucker \Goat"suck`er\, n. (Zool.)
One of several species of insectivorous birds, belonging to
Caprimulgus and allied genera, esp. the European species
(Caprimulgus Europ[ae]us); -- so called from the mistaken
notion that it sucks goats. The European species is also
goat-milker, goat owl, goat chaffer, fern owl, night
hawk, nightjar, night churr, churr-owl, gnat hawk,
and dorhawk.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Fern \Fern\ (f[~e]rn), n. [AS. fearn; akin to D. varen, G. farn,
farnkraut; cf. Skr. par[.n]a wing, feather, leaf, sort of
plant, or Lith. papartis fern.] (Bot.)
An order of cryptogamous plants, the Filices, which have
their fructification on the back of the fronds or leaves.
They are usually found in humid soil, sometimes grow
epiphytically on trees, and in tropical climates often attain
a gigantic size.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The plants are asexual, and bear clustered sporangia,
containing minute spores, which germinate and form
prothalli, on which are borne the true organs of
reproduction. The brake or bracken, the maidenhair, and
the polypody are all well known ferns.
[1913 Webster]
Christmas fern. See under Christmas.
Climbing fern (Bot.), a delicate North American fern
(Lygodium palmatum), which climbs several feet high over
bushes, etc., and is much sought for purposes of
decoration.
Fern owl. (Zool.)
(a) The European goatsucker.
(b) The short-eared owl. [Prov. Eng.] -- Fern shaw, a fern
thicket. [Eng.] --R. Browning.
[1913 Webster]