cassowary
noun
cas·so·wary ˈka-sə-ˌwer-ē 
plural cassowaries
: any of a genus (Casuarius) of large ratite birds chiefly of New Guinea and northern Australia that have a horny casque on the head and are closely related to the emu
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web But apparently a ferocious bird known as a cassowary was one of the first animals raised by humans, roughly 18,000 years ago, according to new research. 
Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 30 Sep. 2021 Eliason suspected that flightlessness might have given cassowaries more evolutionary room to develop their odd-shaped feathers. Katie Hunt, CNN, 13 May 2020 No such direct contact is allowed with another colorful Australian native, the cassowary. San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2019 The bird was a flightless, exotic cassowary being bred. Eve Rosen, orlandosentinel.com, 28 Aug. 2019 According to the San Diego Zoo, emus typically weigh less than 120 pounds and stand between 5 and 6 feet tall, far smaller than their more menacing relatives, the ostrich and cassowary. Scottie Andrew And Katherine Dillinger, CNN, 1 Aug. 2019 Hike through the lush vegetation to see cassowaries, crocodiles, tree kangaroos, and other endemic wildlife. National Geographic, 17 June 2019 Although cassowaries were believed to possess a mystical and powerful strength, which could be co-opted and added to one's own prowess when holding the dagger, explained Dominy. Katy Scott, CNN, 5 May 2018 Selection of some — such as the cassowaries, large flightless birds, cherished by the original inhabitants of New Britain (part of New Guinea), and the pigeons kept as pets in Samoa — seems to have been more arbitrary. Longreads, 22 Mar. 2018 See More
Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 30 Sep. 2021 Eliason suspected that flightlessness might have given cassowaries more evolutionary room to develop their odd-shaped feathers. Katie Hunt, CNN, 13 May 2020 No such direct contact is allowed with another colorful Australian native, the cassowary. San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2019 The bird was a flightless, exotic cassowary being bred. Eve Rosen, orlandosentinel.com, 28 Aug. 2019 According to the San Diego Zoo, emus typically weigh less than 120 pounds and stand between 5 and 6 feet tall, far smaller than their more menacing relatives, the ostrich and cassowary. Scottie Andrew And Katherine Dillinger, CNN, 1 Aug. 2019 Hike through the lush vegetation to see cassowaries, crocodiles, tree kangaroos, and other endemic wildlife. National Geographic, 17 June 2019 Although cassowaries were believed to possess a mystical and powerful strength, which could be co-opted and added to one's own prowess when holding the dagger, explained Dominy. Katy Scott, CNN, 5 May 2018 Selection of some — such as the cassowaries, large flightless birds, cherished by the original inhabitants of New Britain (part of New Guinea), and the pigeons kept as pets in Samoa — seems to have been more arbitrary. Longreads, 22 Mar. 2018 See More Word History
Etymology
Malay kĕsuari, from an Austronesian language of the Moluccas
First Known Use
1611, in the meaning defined above