- any aquatic bird of the genus Fulica, as F. americana, of North America, and F. atra, of the Old World, characterized by lobate toes and short wings and tail.
- any of various other swimming or diving birds, especially the scoters.
- a foolish or crotchety person, especially one who is old.
- any aquatic bird of the genus Fulica, esp F. atra of Europe and Asia, having lobed toes, dark plumage, and a white bill with a frontal shield: family Rallidae (rails, crakes, etc)
- a foolish person, esp an old man (often in the phrase old coot)
