Also 6–7 like-owle. [f. LICH + OWL.] The screech-owl, so called because its cry was supposed to portend death in the house.
1585. Higins, trans. Junius’ Nomenclator, 56. Bubo, a shrichowle: a likeowle.
1601. Holland, Pliny, I. 283. The Otis is a bird lesse than the Like-Owle,… hauing two plumed ears standing vp aloft.
1604. Drayton, Owle, 302. The shreeking Litch-Owle that doth never cry, But boding death.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, II. 268/1. The little Horn-Owle … termed Lich Owls … because Prognosticaters of Peoples death, when they scrietch about there Houses.
1898. Watts-Dunton, Aylwin (1900), 32/2. Then came the shadow of a lich-owl, as it whisked past us towards the apple-trees.
