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 Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 1 "Evangelical Church Conference" to "Fairbairn, Sir William" by Various