[coot] n [ME coote; akin to D koet coot] (15c) 1: any of various sluggish slow-flying slaty-black birds (genus Fulica) of the rail family that somewhat resemble ducks and have lobed toes and the upper mandible prolonged on the forehead as a horny frontal shield
2: any of several No. American scoters
3: a harmless simple person; broadly: fellow 4c