horncoot

plural horncoots

1. rareThe horned owl.

   Some said that some eagle or great horncoot, having carried it thither while it was yet a lambkin, it had got away and saved itself among the bushes.

   1532, Francis Rabelais, “LVII. How Pantagruel went ashore at the dwelling of Gaster, the first master of arts in the world”, in Five books of the lives, heroic deeds and sayings of Gargantua and his son Pantagruel^(https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Five_books_of_the_lives,_heroic_deeds_and_sayings_of_Gargantua_and_his_son_Pantagruel_(IA_fivebooksoflives03rabeiala).pdf), page 151

   1 more example

   two Feet high, and the upper End cut like the Ridge of an Houfe declining on both Sides, that the Horncoot may perch thereon […] tie a Cord from one End of the faid Perches to the other, having drawn it through an Iron-ring […] and at the other End your Horncoot is to be faftened by the Legs, like a Hawk […] by the Help of this Horncoot, chufe out fome Quarter that lies high and open, free from Hedges […] and ftrike at your Horncoot, which is under it, you muft ftick fome Boughs in there to prevent it

   1744, Ellis, William, “Agriculture”, in The modern husbandman c.1 v.6, page 106