adjective. Having a coat with irregular streaks or speckles of a contrasting color. Used of certain dogs.

noun. A dog with a merle coat.

noun. undefined

noun. The European blackbird Turdus merula; any blackbird.

noun. A type of mottled colouration on dogs.

"It happed after this that a black bird, that is called a merle, came on a time to S. Benet and pecked with his bill at his visage, and grieved and noyed him so much that he could have no rest for it, and could not put it from him, but as soon as he had made the sign of the cross, anon the bird vanished away."

Berle  Curl  Earl  Earle  Erl