shearwater n any of several oceanic birds of the genera Puffinus, such as P. puffinus (Manx shearwater), Procellaria, etc., specialized for an aerial or aquatic existence: family Procellariidae, order Procellariiformes (petrels)
(C17: so named because their wings seem to clip the waves when they are flying low)
Manx shearwater n
a European oceanic bird, Puffinus puffinus, with long slender wings and black-and-white plumage: family Procellariidae (shearwaters)