Etymology

macaw

M3A1C3A1W4

Today it means: Any of various parrots of the genera Ara, Anodorhynchus, Cyanopsitta, Orthopsittaca, Primolius and Diopsittaca of Central and South America, including the largest parrots and characterized by long sabre-shaped tails, curved powerful bills, and usually brilliant plumage. Full definition →

Portuguese macau
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The story

  1. Portuguese · borrowed frommacau
  2. English todaymacaw

From Portuguese macau, of unknown origin. English sources point to Nheengatu makawana, which is only attested from the 20th century onwards.

Words from the same roots

Portuguesemacau all →

Macau

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.