local. Also 6 yerwhelp, 7 yarewhelp, yarwell, 79 yarwip, 8 yarwhelph, 89 yarwhip. [? Imitative of the goat-like cry of the godwit; cf. YAR v.] The bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica or rufa) and the black-tailed godwit (L. ægocephala or melanura).
1577. in Archaeologia (1821), XIX. 289. Yerwhelps ij ijs.
1579. J. Jones, Preserv. Bodie & Soule, I. xiv. 26. The flesh of Towin, Yarwhelpe, Plover, Wodcocke.
1634. in Simpkinson, Washingtons (1860), App. p. xiii. Yarwell 1 dozen and 11 02 14 02.
1668. Sir T. Browne, Lett. to Dr. Merrett, 29 Dec. A Yarwhelp, Barker, or Latrator a marsh bird about the bignesse of a Godwitt.
1678. Ray, Willughbys Ornith., 292. The Godwit, called in some places the Yarwhelp, or Yarwip.
1744. Ant. & Pres. St. Co. Down, xviii. 227. The Yarwhelp or Yarwip, is something like a Wood-cock.