/nuyt"hawk'/ , n.
1. any of several longwinged, American goatsuckers of the genus Chordeiles, related to the whippoorwill, esp. C. minor, having variegated black, white, and buff plumage.
2. the European goatsucker or nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus.
3. Informal. a person who is habitually up or moving about late at night; night owl.
[ 1605-15; NIGHT + HAWK 1 ]