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:
Gnat \Gnat\, n. [AS. gn[ae]t.]
1. (Zool.) A blood-sucking dipterous fly, of the genus
Culex, undergoing a metamorphosis in water. The females
have a proboscis armed with needlelike organs for
penetrating the skin of animals. These are wanting in the
males. In America they are generally called mosquitoes.
See Mosquito.
[1913 Webster]
2. Any fly resembling a Culex in form or habits; esp., in
America, a small biting fly of the genus Simulium and
allies, as the buffalo gnat, the black fly, etc.
[1913 Webster]
Gnat catcher (Zool.), one of several species of small
American singing birds, of the genus Polioptila, allied
to the kinglets.
Gnat flower, the bee flower.
Gnat hawk (Zool.), the European goatsucker; -- called also
gnat owl.
Gnat snapper (Zool.), a bird that catches gnats.
Gnat strainer, a person ostentatiously punctilious about
trifles. Cf. --Matt. xxiii. 24.
[1913 Webster]