grif·fin also grif·fon or gryph·on 
(grĭfən)
(grĭfən)n.
A fabulous beast with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion.
[Middle English griffoun, from Old French griffon, from grif, from Latin grȳpus, grȳphus, variants of grȳps, grȳp-, from Greek grūps.]