DCHP-3

wavey

[Algonk.; cf. Ojibwa wewe and Cree wehwew goose]
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Spelling variants:
wavy

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

n.

a wild goose, especially the snow goose.

Although wavey is ultimately derived from an Algonkian onomatopoeic word for a goose, the present form may have been influenced by that of the Canadian French borrowing of the same term.

Quotations

1743
. . . the white geese . . . they [Crees] style wappawawewuck) which the English call's weywey's.
1820
On the way back Hepburn and Keskarrah shot several waveys . . . .
1965
Even children can talk goose language. They call the wavies down to the hunter's guns.