[Identical with EFris. kobbe, sê-kobbe, Heligoland kobb, New Fris. kub, Du. kobbe, kob, with same meaning. Etymology, and possible connection with cob in other senses, unknown.] A name given to species of Gull, esp. the Greater Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus), and Common Gull (L. canus); also called Sea-cob(b.
1580. Baret, Alv., C 711. A sea Cobbe, Gauia alba.
1607. Norden, Surv. Dial., 206. I haue seene vpon these grounds, store of Pewets, Oliues, and Cobbes breed.
1610. W. Folkingham, Art of Survey, IV. iii. 83. Fowling may be for the … Sheldrake, Cob, Oliue, Puffin.
1655. Moufet & Bennet, Health’s Improv. (1746), 195. Sea-Mews and Sea-Cobs feed upon Garbage and Fish.
1733. Bailey, Colloq. Erasm. (1877), 214. Wherever I find an hungry sea-cob I throw him out a bait.
1885. Swainson, Prov. Names Birds, 208. L. marinus … also called Cobb (Essex, Kent, N. Devon, Wales, Galway). L. canus, Cobb or Sea Cobb (Kent, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk).
