Fen (?), n. [AS. fen, fenn, marsh, mud, dirt; akin to D. veen, OFries. fenne, fene, OHG. fenna, G. fenn, Icel. fen, Goth. fani mud.] Low land overflowed, or covered wholly or partially with water, but producing sedge, coarse grasses, or other aquatic plants; boggy land; moor; marsh.
'Mid reedy fens wide spread. Wordsworth.
☞ Fen is used adjectively with the sense of belonging to, or of the nature of, a fen or fens.
Fen boat, a boat of light draught used in marshes. — Fen duck(Zoöl.), a wild duck inhabiting fens; the shoveler. — Fen fowl(Zoöl.), any water fowl that frequent fens. — Fen goose(Zoöl.), the graylag goose of Europe. — Fen land, swamp land.