I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: Middle English blakbrid, from blak black + brid, bird bird
1. : any of various birds of which the males are largely or entirely black: as
a. Britain : a common and familiar thrush ( Turdus merula ) that is black with orange bill and eye rim — called also merl
b. : any of several American birds of the family Icteridae: as
(1) : redwing blackbird
(2) : purple grackle
(3) : rusty blackbird
2. : a Kanaka kidnaped for use as a plantation laborer especially in Australia
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
: to kidnap Kanakas for use or sale as laborers especially in Australia — usually used in the form blackbirding
that … man who became the terror of the Pacific in the lawless days of blackbirding and piracy — Times Literary Supplement
transitive verb
: to kidnap (Kanakas) for use or sale as laborers