any of a genus (Morus, family Sulidae) of pelecaniform birds; esp., a white, gooselike, web-footed bird (M. bassanus) that breeds on cliffs along the N Atlantic coasts
See gannet in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(gănˈĭt)
noun
Any of several large sea birds of the genus Morus, especially M. bassanus of northern Atlantic coastal regions, having white plumage with black wingtips. Also called solan.