(ˌ)mərˈgan(t)sər, ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin mergus diver (waterfowl) + anser goose — more at mergus , goose
: any of various diving ducks of Mergus and related genera that constitute a distinct subfamily of Anatidae, have a slender bill hooked at the end and serrated along the margins, usually a crested head, a long broad tail, and short somewhat clumsy wings, feed almost entirely on fish, and are considered inferior as food for man — see american merganser , goosander , hooded merganser , red-breasted merganser , smew ; see bill illustration
[s]merganse.jpg[/s]