heronshaw
/ˈhɛrənʃɔː/Now chiefly historical or British regional
noun
Originally: a young or small heron. Later more generally: any heron.
Phrases
to know a hawk from a hernshaw
Origin
Late Middle English. From Anglo-Norman herouncel, herencell, heronsew young heron (1334, in plural form heronceux, or earlier; compare Middle French (Champagne) heronçaul, heronceau) from heron, heroun + -cel, diminutive suffix.