n. (Zool.) In England, a species of thrush (Turdus merula), a singing bird with a fin note; the merle. In America the name is given to several birds, as the Quiscalus versicolor, or crow blackbird; the Agelæus phœniceus, or red-winged blackbird; the cowbird; the rusty grackle, etc. See Redwing. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Among slavers and pirates, a negro or Polynesian. [ Cant, pejorative ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. A native of any of the islands near Queensland; -- called also Kanaka. [ Australia, pejorative ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. i. to engage in the slave trade. [ Colloq. ] [ PJC ]

n. A slave ship; a slaver. [ Colloq. ] F. T. Bullen. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. 1. The kidnaping of negroes or Polynesians to be sold as slaves. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. The act or practice of collecting natives of the islands near Queensland for service on the Queensland sugar plantations. [ Australia ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]