Plural of cockatoo; large white or dark crested parrots native to Australia and nearby regions.
Plural of 'cockatoo,' which derives from Dutch 'kakatoe' and ultimately from Malay 'kakatua.' The word has been in English since the 17th century when Dutch traders brought specimens to Europe.
Cockatoos became famous in English because they were exotic and spectacular—early European sailors couldn't stop talking about them. We got the word from Malay traders, then Dutch traders brought the actual birds, which is why 'cockatoo' is one of the first animal names English borrowed from Southeast Asia!
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