Word Study
cockatoo
CIDE DICTIONARY
cockatoo, n. [Malayan kakatūa.].
A bird of the Parrot family, of the subfamily Cacatuinæ , 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]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
cockatoo, n.
1 any of several parrots of the family Cacatuinae, having powerful beaks and erectile crests.
2 Austral. & NZ colloq. a small farmer.
1 any of several parrots of the family Cacatuinae, having powerful beaks and erectile crests.
2 Austral. & NZ colloq. a small farmer.
Etymology
Du. kaketoe f. Malay kakatua, assim. to COCK(1)
For further exploring for "cockatoo" in Webster Dictionary Online