from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Gyrfalcon \Gyr"fal`con\ (j[~e]r"f[add]`k'n), n. [OE. gerfaucon,
OF. gerfaucon, LL. gyrofalco, perh. fr. L. gyrus circle +
falco falcon, and named from its circling flight; or cf. E.
gier-eagle. See {Gyre}, n., {Falcon}.] (Zool.)
One of several species and varieties of large Arctic falcons,
esp. {Falco rusticolus} and the white species {Falco
Islandicus}, both of which are circumpolar. The black and the
gray are varieties of the former. See Illust. of {Accipiter}.
[Written also {gerfalcon}, {gierfalcon}, and {jerfalcon}.]
[1913 Webster]