Cockatoo \Cock`a*too"\ (k[o^]k`[.a]*t[=oo]"), n. [Malayan
kakat[=u]a.] (Zool.)
A bird of the Parrot family, of the subfamily {Cacatuin[ae]},
having a short, strong, and much curved beak, and the head
ornamented with a crest, which can be raised or depressed at
will. There are several genera and many species; as the
{broad-crested cockatoo} ({Plictolophus cristatus} or
{Cacatua cristatus}), the sulphur-crested ({Cacatua galerita}
or {Plictolophus galeritus}), etc. The {palm cockatoo} or
{great black cockatoo} of Australia is {Probosciger
aterrimus} (formerly {Microglossus aterrimus}).
[1913 Webster +PJC]