Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Water feather /wôt'-ẽr fĕth'-ẽr/ · Wa·ter feath·er · IPA 01 The water violet (Hottonia palustris); also, the less showy American plant Hottonia inflata. 1. The water violet (Hottonia palustris); also, the less showy American plant Hottonia inflata.(Bot.)