ptarmigan

[ tahr-mi-guh n ]

/ ˈtɑr mɪ gən /

any of several grouses of the genus Lagopus, of mountainous and cold northern regions, having feathered feet.

Origin of ptarmigan

1590–1600; pseudo-Greek spelling of Scots Gaelic tarmarchan, akin to Irish tarmanach

pt boat, pt., pta, pta., ptah, ptarmigan, ptc, ptca, pte, pter-, pteranodon

The ptarmigan are somewhat larger than either of these kinds, but in other respects differ but little from them.

The Young Voyageurs |Mayne Reid
Up to this date we had shot during our journey only one bear and a couple of ptarmigan.

In the Arctic Seas |Francis Leopold McClintock
Flocks of gulls, geese, ptarmigan, and other Arctic fowls wheeled round us.

The Goddess of Atvatabar |William R. Bradshaw
Ptarmigan had crept up and would go past, but she was large and allowed Red Rose some time.

Wyndham's Pal |Harold Bindloss

To us the ptarmigan was at all times fascinating, but it proved ever a thing of mystery.

My Attainment of the Pole |Frederick A. Cook

ptarmigan

/ (ˈtɑːmɪɡən) /

any of several arctic and subarctic grouse of the genus Lagopus, esp L. mutus, which has a white winter plumage

(sometimes capital) a created domestic fancy pigeon with ruffled or curled feathers on the wings and back

C16: changed (perhaps influenced by Greek pteron wing) from Scottish Gaelic tarmachan, diminutive of tarmach, of obscure origin