What is "anatiferous"

Anatiferous \An`a*tif"er*ous\, a. [L. anas, anatis, a duck + -ferous.] (Zo["o]l.) Producing ducks; -- applied to Anatif[ae], under the absurd notion of their turning into ducks or geese. See Barnacle.

a. Producing ducks. Formerly used of barnacles, since it was believed that they produced ducks and geese.