/ ˈbɪtən; NAmE -tərn/ noun
a European bird of the heron family, that lives on wet ground and has a loud call
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English bitore , from Old French butor , based on Latin butio bittern + taurus bull (because of its call). The - n was added in the 16th cent., perhaps by association with hern , obsolete variant of heron .