n. 1 a any long-winged stout-bodied bird of the family Diomedeidae related to petrels, inhabiting the Pacific and Southern Oceans. b a source of frustration or guilt; an encumbrance. 2 Brit. Golf a score of three strokes under par at any hole.
[ alt. (after L albus white) of 17th-c. alcatras, applied to various sea-birds, f. Sp. and Port. alcatraz, var. of Port. alcatruz f. Arab. alkadus the pitcher ]