RAVEN

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hræfn; akin to Old High German hraban ~, Latin corvus, Greek korax Date: before 12th century a large glossy black corvine bird ( Corvus corax ) of Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and America, II. adjective Date: 1588 shiny and black like a ~'s feathers , III. verb (~ed; ~ing) Etymology: Middle French raviner to rush, take by force, from ravine rapine Date: 1530 intransitive verb to feed greedily, to prowl for food ; prey , plunder , transitive verb to devour greedily, despoil , ~er noun