Cor"mo*rant (kor"mO*rant), n. [F. cormoran, fr. Armor. mOr-vran a sea raven; mOr sea + bran raven, with cor, equiv. to L. corvus raven, pleonastically prefixed; or perh. fr. L. corvus marinus sea raven.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Any species of Phalacrocorax, a genus of sea birds having a sac under the beak; the shag. Cormorants devour fish voraciously, and have become the emblem of gluttony. They are generally black, and hence are called sea ravens, and coalgeese. [Written also corvorant.]

2.

A voracious eater; a glutton, or gluttonous servant. B. Jonson.

 

© Webster 1913