The Collaborative International Dictionary
Marabou \Mar`a*bou"\ (m[a^]r"[.a]b[=oo]"), n. [F.]
(Zo["o]l.) A large black-and-white carrion-eating stork of the genus Leptoptilos (formerly Ciconia), esp. the African species ( Leptoptilus crumeniferus syn. Leptoptilos crumenifer), whose downy under-wing feathers are used to trim garments; called also marabout. The Asiatic species ( Leptoptilos dubius, or Leptoptilos argala) is the adjutant. See Adjutant. [Written also marabu.]
One having five eighths negro blood; the offspring of a mulatto and a griffe. [Louisiana]
--Bartlett.A kind of thrown raw silk, nearly white naturally, but capable of being dyed without scouring; also, a thin fabric made from it, as for scarfs, which resembles the feathers of the marabou in delicacy, -- whence the name.