Egret
/ˈiːɡrət/noun
A heron with long plumes, especially white plumes, often found in wetlands.
Did you know?In the late 19th century, egret plumes were so prized for fashionable hats that plume hunting devastated bird populations and helped inspire modern bird-protection movements.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Germanic
*haigro
“A heron-like wading bird; the reconstructed source of later Germanic and Romance forms.”
Old High German
Old High German
heigaro
“Heron.”
Old French
Old French
aigron
“Heron.”
Middle French
French
aigrette
“A small heron; also a tuft or plume of feathers.”
17th Century
English
egret
“A white heron, borrowed from French aigrette.”
Modern English
English
egret
“A heron distinguished by long ornamental plumes, especially during breeding.”