turkey

n.; pl. Turkeys [ So called because it was formerly erroneously believed that it came originally from Turkey: cf. F. Turquie Turkey. See Turk. ] (Zool.) Any large American gallinaceous bird belonging to the genus Meleagris, especially the North American wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), and the domestic turkey, which was probably derived from the Mexican wild turkey, but had been domesticated by the Indians long before the discovery of America. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The Mexican wild turkey is now considered a variety of the northern species (var. Mexicana). Its tail feathers and coverts are tipped with white instead of brownish chestnut, and its flesh is white. The Central American, or ocellated, turkey (Meleagris ocellata) is more elegantly colored than the common species. See under Ocellated. The Australian, or native, turkey is a bustard (Choriotis australis). See under Native. [ 1913 Webster ]

Turkey beard (Bot.), a name of certain American perennial liliaceous herbs of the genus Xerophyllum. They have a dense tuft of hard, narrowly linear radical leaves, and a long raceme of small whitish flowers. Also called turkey's beard. --
Turkey berry (Bot.), a West Indian name for the fruit of certain kinds of nightshade (Solanum mammosum, and Solanum torvum). --
Turkey bird (Zool.), the wryneck. So called because it erects and ruffles the feathers of its neck when disturbed. [ Prov. Eng. ] --
Turkey buzzard (Zool.), a black or nearly black buzzard (Cathartes aura), abundant in the Southern United States. It is so called because its naked and warty head and neck resemble those of a turkey. It is noted for its high and graceful flight. Called also turkey vulture. --
Turkey cock (Zool.), a male turkey. --
Turkey hen (Zool.), a female turkey. --
Turkey pout (Zool.), a young turkey. [ R. ] --
Turkey vulture (Zool.), the turkey buzzard. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Turkish. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]