from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Marabou \Mar`a*bou"\ (m[a^]r"[.a]b[=oo]"), n. [F.]
1. (Zool.) A large black-and-white carrion-eating stork of
the genus {Leptoptilos} (formerly {Ciconia}), esp. the
African species ({Leptoptilus crumeniferus} syn.
{Leptoptilos crumenifer}), whose downy under-wing feathers
are used to trim garments; called also {marabout}. The
Asiatic species ({Leptoptilos dubius}, or {Leptoptilos
argala}) is the adjutant. See {Adjutant}. [Written also
{marabu}.]
[1913 Webster]
2. One having five eighths negro blood; the offspring of a
mulatto and a griffe. [Louisiana] --Bartlett.
[1913 Webster]
3. A kind of thrown raw silk, nearly white naturally, but
capable of being dyed without scouring; also, a thin
fabric made from it, as for scarfs, which resembles the
feathers of the marabou in delicacy, -- whence the name.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]