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muttonbird
/ ˈmʌtənˌbɜːd /
noun
- any of several shearwaters, having a dark plumage with greyish underparts, esp the sooty shearwater ( Puffinus griseus ) of New Zealand, which is collected for food by Māoris. It inhabits the Pacific Ocean and in summer nests in Australia and New Zealand
- any of various petrels esp the short tailed shearwater, Puffinus tenuirostris , which inhabits the Pacific Ocean and in summer nests in S Australia
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Word History and Origins
Origin of muttonbird1
C19: so named because their cooked flesh is claimed to taste like mutton
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