Plural of cassowary; large, flightless birds native to Australia and New Guinea with distinctive colorful heads and a sharp claw on each foot.
From Malay kasuari or kesuari. The word entered English through trade with Southeast Asian islands where these birds are native, maintaining the original Malay form.
Cassowaries are one of the world's most dangerous birds—that dagger-like toe claw can deliver slashing kicks that make them as feared in the rainforest as any predator despite being herbivores.
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