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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Grouse \Grouse\, v. i.
1. To seek or shoot grouse.
[1913 Webster]

2. To complain or grumble; as, employees grousing about their
incompetent boss. [informal]
[PJC]


Grouse \Grouse\ (grous), n. sing. & pl. [Prob. after the analogy
of mouse, mice, fr. the earlier grice, OF. griesche meor hen:
cf. F. piegri[`e]che shrike.] (Zool.)
Any of the numerous species of gallinaceous birds of the
family {Tetraonid[ae]}, and subfamily {Tetraonin[ae]},
inhabiting Europe, Asia, and North America. They have plump
bodies, strong, well-feathered legs, and usually mottled
plumage. The group includes the ptarmigans ({Lagopus}),
having feathered feet.
[1913 Webster]

Note: Among the European species are the red grouse ({Lagopus
Scoticus}) and the hazel grouse ({Bonasa betulina}).
See {Capercaidzie}, {Ptarmigan}, and {Heath grouse}.
Among the most important American species are the
ruffed grouse, or New England partridge ({Bonasa
umbellus}); the sharp-tailed grouse ({Pedioc[ae]tes
phasianellus}) of the West; the dusky blue, or pine
grouse ({Dendragapus obscurus}) of the Rocky Mountains;
the Canada grouse, or spruce partridge ({D.
Canadensis}). See also {Prairie hen}, and {Sage cock}.
The Old World sand grouse ({Pterocles}, etc.) belong to
a very different family. See {Pterocletes}, and {Sand
grouse}.
[1913 Webster]