ˈkər(ˌ)lü also -rl(ˌ)yü noun
( plural curlews or curlew )
Etymology: Middle English corlewe, curlewe, from Middle French corlieu, courlis, of imitative origin
: any of a number of wide-ranging chiefly migratory birds (family Scolopacidae) especially of the genus Numenius having long legs, a long slender bill that curves downward, and plumage variegated with brown and buff