What is the meaning of Egret?

The name of several species of herons which bear plumes on the back. They are generally white. Among the best known species are the American egret (Ardea, / Herodias, egretta); the great egret (A. alba); the little egret (A. garzetta), of Europe; and the American snowy egret (A. candidissima).

Source: Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), via OPTED