marabou

[ mar-uh-boo ]
/ ˈmær əˌbu /

noun

any of three large storks of the genus Leptoptilus, of Africa or the East Indies, having soft, downy feathers under the wings and tail that are used for making a furlike trimming for women's hats and garments.
one of the feathers.
the trimming or material made of the feathers.
thrown silk that can be dyed without being scoured.
Also marabout.

Origin of marabou

1815–25; < French marabout literally, marabout

Words nearby marabou

mar., mar.e., mar.mech.e., mara, marabi, marabou, marabout, marabunta, maraca, maracaibo, maracanda

Example sentences from the Web for marabou

British Dictionary definitions for marabou

marabou
/ (ˈmærəˌbuː) /

noun

a large black-and-white African carrion-eating stork, Leptoptilos crumeniferus, with a very short naked neck and a straight heavy bill See also adjutant bird
a down feather of this bird, used to trim garments
  1. a fine white raw silk
  2. fabric made of this

Word Origin for marabou

C19: from French, from Arabic murābit marabout, so called because the stork is considered a holy bird in Islam