[ 'dɒt(ə)r(ə)l ]
■ noun ( plural same or ~s ) a small migratory plover which breeds in northern mountains and tundra. [ Eudromias morinellus .]
↘ chiefly Austral./NZ used in names of other small plovers.
Origin
ME: from dote (with ref. to the birds' tameness) + -rel ; cf. dodo .