Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Desmognathous

Desmognathous , adjective

[Greek desmo`s bond + gna`qos jaw.]

(Zoology) Having the maxillo-palatine bones united; -- applied to a group of carinate birds (Desmognatha), including various wading and swimming birds, as the ducks and herons, and also raptorial and other kinds.