falcon

(fălˈkən, fôlˈ-, fôˈkən)

1. a. Any of various birds of prey of the family Falconidae and especially of the genus Falco, having a short, curved beak and long, pointed, powerful wings adapted for swift flight.
   b. Any of several birds of these or related species, such as hawks, trained to hunt small game.
   c. A female bird of this type used in falconry.
2. A small cannon in use from the 15th to the 17th century.