A crossword clue, like a termagant had me running to the dictionary. I fully expected it to be a bird, but it's a medieval word that can mean:
1) a woman who could be described as violent, shrewish, gossipy or brawling
2) having the above qualities :S
Oddly enough, Termagant or Tervagant is also the name of a god that medieval European Christians believed was worshipped by Muslims.
By Sol Eytige Jr. - Rip Van Winkle And His Wonderful Nap, Public Domain, Link