bustard Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun large heavy-bodied chiefly terrestrial game bird capable of powerful swift flight; classified with wading birds but frequents grassy steppes

WordNet

Bus"tard noun
Etymology
OF. & Prov. F. bistarde, F. outarde, from L. avis tarda, lit., slow bird. Plin. 10, 22; "proximæ iis sunt, quas Hispania aves tardas appellat, Græcia ."
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) A bird of the genus Otis. ✍ The great or bearded bustard (Otis tarda) is the largest game bird in Europe. It inhabits the temperate regions of Europe and Asia, and was formerly common in Great Britain. The little bustard (O. tetrax) inhabits eastern Europe and Morocco. Many other species are known in Asia and Africa.

Webster 1913