Windsucker

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A horse that bites or chews on surfaces like fences or mangers ; a horse that ingests air by sucking it in, often causing digestive problems
2. A horse prone to gnawing or biting at structures and fixtures ; a horse that draws in air through its mouth, leading to colic or other health issues
3. A horse that nibbles or chews compulsively on objects in its environment ; a horse that swallows air habitually, resulting in bloating or other ailments

Etymology: The windsucker is a name for the common kestrel, a small falcon that hovers motionless over fields while hunting for voles and mice. The bird's knack for holding its position in mid-air against the breeze is the image behind the name, which pairs "wind" with "sucker" in the sense of something that draws in or hangs on. The term is a compound of two plain English words, and the hovering bird is the sense it has held longest. The same word is also used as a term of abuse, and here the story turns. Some people believe this sense is a recent bowdlerization of "windfucker," a cruder word with the same meaning, softened to sound more polite. The evidence points the other way, however, since "windsucker" turns up at least as early as the 17th century, long before any modern squeamishness about the older form would have had reason to produce it.