ˈkestrəl noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English castrel, from Middle French cresserele, crecerelle, quercelle, from crecelle, cressele rattle, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin crepicella, alteration (influenced by Latin crepare to crack, rattle) of Latin crepitacillum, from crepitare to rattle, crackle — more at crepitate
: a common small European falcon ( Falco tinnunculus ) that is noted for its habit of hovering in the air against a wind, is about a foot long, and is bluish gray above in the male and reddish brown in the female ; broadly : any of various related small Old World falcons — compare sparrow hawk