ˈgaləˌn(y)ül noun
( -s )
Etymology: New Latin Gallinula, genus of birds, from Latin gallinula pullet, chicken, diminutive of gallina hen
: any of several aquatic birds that constitute a subfamily of the family Rallidae, are distinguished from the coots by the unlobed feet and from the rails by the presence of a frontal shield, and resemble a small domestic hen in general proportions and carriage — called also marsh hen, swamphen, water hen