faeder noun1 •A male ruff (bird, Philomachus pugnax, syn. Calidris pugnax) that permanently mimics a female so as to gain access to mating territories and "steal" matings.Faeders, male ruffs that mimic females in plumage and "sneak" copulations at leks, secrete monoesters like other males. — 2007 formsfaeders