One of several species of insectivorous birds,
   belonging to Caprimulgus and allied genera, esp. the European species
   (Caprimulgus Europaeus); -- so called from the mistaken notion that it
   sucks goats. The European species is also goat-milker, goat owl, goat
   chaffer, fern owl, night hawk, nightjar, night churr, churr-owl, gnat
   hawk, and dorhawk.