[Of echoic origin: cf. BOOM v.] A word used to express the cry of the bittern.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., 173. A Bittor maketh that mugient noyse, or as we terme it Bumping.
a. 1700. Dryden, Wife of Bath, 194. As a bittour bumps within a reed.
