Turtling

tur·tle ¹  (tûrtl)

n.

1. Any of various aquatic or terrestrial reptiles of the order Testudines (or Chelonia), having horny toothless jaws and a bony or leathery shell into which the head, limbs, and tail can be withdrawn in most species.

2. Chiefly British A sea turtle.

intr.v. tur·tled, tur·tling, tur·tles

1. To hunt for turtles, especially as an occupation.

2. Nautical To capsize.

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[Perhaps from French tortue, from Old French, from Medieval Latin *tortca, perhaps alteration (influenced by Latin tortus, twisted, from the shape of its legs) of Vulgar Latin *tartarca, feminine of *tartarcus, of Tartarus, from Late Latin tartarchus, from Late Greek tartaroukhos, occupying Tartarus : Tartaros, Tartarus + ekhein, to hold; see eunuch.]

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turtler n.

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tur·tle ²  (tûrtl)

n. Archaic

A turtledove.

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[Middle English, from Old English, from Latin turtur, probably of imitative origin.]

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tur·tle ³  (tûrtl)

n.

A turtleneck.