any of several herons (esp. genus Egretta), usually with long, white plumes
aigrette (sense )
Origin:
ME < OFr aigrette, kind of heron, tuft of feathers < Prov aigreta < aigron < Frank *heigro: see heron
See egret in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
Any of several usually white herons of the genera Bubulcus, Casmerodius, Egretta, and related genera, characteristically having long, showy, drooping plumes during the breeding season.