English edit

Noun edit

hoot owl (plural hoot owls)

  1. Synonym of barred owl
  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see hoot,‎ owl. (any owl that hoots)
    • b. 1955, traditional (lyrics and music), “Swannanoa Town”, in North Carolina Ballads, performed by Artus Moser:
      When you hear the hoot owls hollowing
      Sign of rain, baby, sign of rain

Derived terms edit