curlew, n. [F. courlieu, corlieu, courlis; perh. of imitative origin, but cf. OF. corlieus courier; L. currere to run + levis light.].

A wading bird of the genus Numenius, remarkable for its long, slender, curved bill. [1913 Webster]

" The common European curlew is Numenius arquatus. The long-billed (Numenius longirostris), the Hudsonian (Numenius Hudsonicus), and the Eskimo curlew (Numenius borealis, are American species. The name is said to imitate the note of the European species." [1913 Webster]

Curlew Jack (Zoöl.) the whimbrel or lesser curlew. -- Curlew sandpiper (Zoöl.), a sandpiper (Tringa ferruginea or Tringa subarquata), common in Europe, rare in America, resembling a curlew in having a long, curved bill. See Illustation in Appendix.

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

curlew, n. any wading bird of the genus Numenius, esp. N. arquatus, possessing a usu. long slender down-curved bill.

Etymology

ME f. OF courlieu, courlis orig. imit., but assim. to courliu courier f. courre run + lieu place

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