marabou

marabou (MAR-uh-boo) - n., a large African scavenging stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus) with a naked head and neck, black wings, and soft white down on the underside; the downy feathers from its wings and tail (or imitations from other birds such as turkeys) used as a trimming on clothing or hats; such trim.


Also a kind of thrown silk that can be dyed without scouring, but the above was enough definition for a Monday morning. Like many carion-eating birds, it has a naked head, but unlike most others, it's a wading bird. Adopted in 1819 originally in the older spelling spelling marabout from French marabout, from Portuguese maraboto/marabuto, from African Arabic murābiṭ, a Muslim hermit or saint, because these birds were considered holy. At least, according to one dictionary -- others are not so clear on the matter, so you may want to add salt.


Thanks, WikiMedia!

---L.