: the muscular enlargement of the digestive tract of birds that has usually thick muscular walls and a tough horny lining for grinding the food and when the crop is present follows it and the proventriculus
b
: a thickened part of the digestive tract in some animals (such as an insect or an earthworm) that is similar in function to the crop of a bird
Recent Examples on the WebThe other evidence to support that suggestion is based on the fact that, besides birds, crocodylians also have both a gizzard and an ‘acid’ stomach. Jeanne Timmons, Ars Technica, 6 June 2022 At least 250 gizzard shad were found dead, Maryland Department of the Environment spokesman Jay Apperson said in an email. Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2022 In owls, this second chamber, called the gizzard, collects bone, teeth and fur, which is later expelled. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Feb. 2022 Unlike most yakitori-inclusive spots in the Bay Area, Tori Man offers you plenty of off cuts: knee cap, cartilage, heart, gizzard, and skin bunched up on the skewer like a ribbon. Soleil Ho, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Aug. 2021 Hearts can be seared quickly, like little bite-sized steaks or minced fine along with the liver and gizzard for a batch of dirty rice.Outdoor Life, 8 Mar. 2021 Captain Mike Walker knows the tricks, slow-trolling huge gizzard shad and suckers on heavy tackle over the channel edges. Frank Sargeant, al, 22 Jan. 2021 The smaller walleye are generally being caught closer to shore than their bigger brothers and sisters, feeding on the huge schools of small gizzard shad that have recently moved to the shallows.cleveland, 30 July 2020 During these seasons, walleyes move closer to shore—i.e., within fly-casting range—to gorge on baitfish, such as gizzard shad and emerald shiners. Andrew Pegman, Field & Stream, 10 Apr. 2020 See More
Word History
Etymology
alteration of Middle English giser gizzard, liver, from Anglo-French gesir, giser, from Latin gigeria (plural) giblets