The Collaborative International Dictionary
Ousel \Ou"sel\ ([oo^]"z'l), n. [OE. osel, AS. [=o]sle; akin to G. amsel, OHG. amsala, and perh. to L. merula blackbird. Cf. Merle, Amsel.] (Zo["o]l.) One of several species of European thrushes, especially the blackbird ( Merula merula, or Turdus merula), and the mountain or ring ousel ( Turdus torquatus). [Written also ouzel.]
Rock ousel (Zo["o]l.), the ring ousel.
Water ousel (Zo["o]l.), the European dipper ( Cinclus aquaticus), and the American dipper ( Cinclus Mexicanus).
Water ousel \Wa"ter ou"sel\, Water ouzel \Wa"ter ou"zel\ . (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of small insessorial birds of the genus Cinclus (or Hydrobates), especially the European water ousel ( Cinclus aquaticus), and the American water ousel ( Cinclus Mexicanus). These birds live about the water, and are in the habit of walking on the bottom of streams beneath the water in search of food.