/shel"drayk'/ , n. , pl. sheldrakes , ( esp. collectively ) sheldrake .
1. any of several Old World ducks of the genus Tadorna, certain species of which have highly variegated plumage.
2. any of various other ducks, esp. the goosander or merganser.
[ 1275-1325; ME sheldedrake, equiv. to sheld particolored + drake DRAKE 1 ]