PHEASANT

noun (plural ~ or ~s) Etymology: Middle English fesaunt, from Anglo-French fesant, faisan, from Latin phasianus, from Greek (ornis) phasianos, from phasianos of the Phasis River, from Phasis, river in Colchis Date: 13th century any of numerous large often long-tailed and brightly colored Old World gallinaceous birds ( Phasianus and related genera of the family Phasianidae) including many raised as ornamental or game birds, any of various birds resembling a ~