Snipe (?), n. [OE. snipe; akin to D. snep, snip, LG. sneppe, snippe, G.
schnepfe, Icel. snpa (in comp.), Dan. sneppe, Sw. snäppa a sanpiper,
and possibly to E. snap. See Snap, Snaffle.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any one of
numerous species of limicoline game birds of the family Scolopacidæ,
having a long, slender, nearly straight beak.
The common, or whole, snipe (Gallinago cœlestis) and the great, or
double, snipe (G. major), are the most important European species. The
Wilson's snipe (G. delicata) (sometimes erroneously called English
snipe) and the gray snipe, or dowitcher (Macrohamphus griseus), are
well- known American species.