bitterns is a form of:

Bittern



ENGLISH MEANING
noun
1.
A wading bird of the genus Botaurus, allied to the herons, of various species.
2.
The brine which remains in salt works after the salt is concreted, having a bitter taste from the chloride of magnesium which it contains.
3.
A very bitter compound of quassia, cocculus Indicus, etc., used by fraudulent brewers in adulterating beer.