Falconer

/ˈfɔːlkənər/ noun

Definition

A person who hunts with trained falcons, or practices the sport and skill of training birds of prey to hunt.

Etymology

From Old French 'fauconnier,' from 'faucon' (falcon), ultimately from Latin 'falco.' The practice is ancient, with the word evolving through medieval European nobility who prized falconry as a status sport.

Kelly Says

Falconry is older than written English—medieval kings literally used falconry rankings to show status, and the vocabulary of falconry ('jesses,' 'mews,' 'bells') entered English as a complete hunting subculture. It's a whole hidden language.

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