European plover

• Shrill-voiced cousin of a plover
• Black-headed gull
• Little bird
• Plover's cousin
• Old World bird
• Small black-headed European gull

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Laughing \Laugh"ing\, a. & n. from Laugh , v. i. Laughing falcon (Zo["o]l.), a South American hawk ( Herpetotheres cachinnans ); -- so called from its notes, which resemble a shrill laugh. Laughing gas (Chem.), hyponitrous oxide, or protoxide of nitrogen ...

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"lapwing" (still the usual name for it in Scotland), 1520s, imitative of its cry (compare Flemish piewit-voghel , Middle Low German kivit , German kiwitz ; also see kibitz ).

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. (context UK English) (alternative form of peewit English)