1. \Bit"tern\, n. [OE. bitoure, betore, bitter, fr. F.
   butor; of unknown origin.] (Zo["o]l.)
   A wading bird of the genus {Botaurus}, allied to the herons,
   of various species.
   Note: The common European bittern is {Botaurus stellaris}. It
         makes, during the brooding season, a noise called by
         Dryden bumping, and by Goldsmith booming. The American
         bittern is {B. lentiginosus}, and is also called
         {stake-driver} and {meadow hen}. See {Stake-driver}.
   Note: The name is applied to other related birds, as the
         {least bittern} ({Ardetta exilis}), and the {sun
         bittern}.
   

2. \Bit"tern\, n. [From {Bitter}, a.]
   1. The brine which remains in salt works after the salt is
      concreted, having a bitter taste from the chloride of
      magnesium which it contains.
   2. A very bitter compound of quassia, cocculus Indicus, etc.,
      used by fraudulent brewers in adulterating beer. --Cooley.
   

is found three times in connection with the desolations to come upon Babylon, Idumea, and Nineveh (Isa. 14:23; 34:11; Zeph. 2:14). This bird belongs to the class of cranes. Its scientific name is Botaurus stellaris. It is a solitary bird, frequenting marshy ground. The Hebrew word (kippod) thus rendered in the Authorized Version is rendered "porcupine" in the Revised Version. But in the passages noted the kippod is associated with birds, with pools of water, and with solitude and desolation. This favours the idea that not the "porcupine" but the "bittern" is really intended by the word.