Definitions

1. noun

A large North American duck (Somateria mollissima) having a yellow bill and black head and neck, whose downy feathers are highly valued for making warm garments.

“The eider’s soft feathers were a crucial material for the Inuit to make warm parkas during the harsh Arctic winters.”

2. verb

to obtain the downy feathers of eiders, especially in a way that is considered to be exploitative or unsustainable.

“The eider trade was a major issue for wildlife conservationists, as it led to the decline of many eider populations.”