_Meaning of "Hernshaw."_--_Hernshaw_ occurs in _Hamlet_, II. 2. Query,
What is the derivation of it? It means, I believe, a young heron.
Chaucer ("Squire's Tale," l. 90.) spells it "heronsewe." As _sewe_
signifies a dish (whence the word _sewer_, he who serves up the dinner),
this word applied to _heron_ may mean one fit for eating, young and
tender.