limpkin

American  

[limp-kin] / ˈlɪmp kɪn /

noun

1. a large, loud-voiced, wading bird, Aramus guarauna, intermediate in size and character between the cranes and the rails, of the warmer regions of America.

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limpkin British  

/ ˈlɪmpkɪn /

noun

1. Also called: courlan.  a rail-like wading bird, Aramus guarauna, of tropical American marshes, having dark brown plumage with white markings and a wailing cry: order Gruiformes (cranes, rails, etc)

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Etymology

Origin of limpkin

1870–75, limp ¹ + -kin; so called because of its jerky walk

Example Sentences

The fauna is also varied; the otter, alligator and crocodile are found, also the deer and panther, and among the native birds are the ibis, egret, heron and limpkin.

From Project Gutenberg