any of a family (Casuariidae) of large, flightless birds of Australia and New Guinea with a brightly colored, featherless neck and head: with the larger emus, they form a unique order (Casuariiformes) distinct from rheas and ostriches
Origin:
Malay kasuārī
See cassowary in American Heritage Dictionary 4
nounpl.cas·so·war·ies
Any of several large flightless birds of the genus Casuarius of Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent areas, having a large bony projection on the top of the head and brightly colored wattles.