cassowary

noun, plural cas·so·war·ies.

1. any of several large flightless, ratite birds of the genus Casuarius, of Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands, characterized by a bony casque on the front of the head.

noun plural -waries

1. any large flightless bird of the genus Casuarius, inhabiting forests in NE Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands, having a horny head crest, black plumage, and brightly coloured neck and wattles: order CasuariiformesSee also ratite

n.

1610s, via French or Dutch, from Malay kasuari.