gerfauntt

[ME., a corrupt form of the Ar. zarāf, zorāfa, jorāfa, a giraffe: see giraffe.] A giraffe. There also ben many bestes, that ben clept orafles; in Araybe, the i ben clept Gerfauntz ; that is a Best pomelee or spotted; that is but a litylle more highe, than is a Stede: but he hat he the Necke a 20 Cubytes long and his Croup and his Tayl is as of an Hert: and he may loken over a gret highe Hous. Mandeville, Travels, p. 289. gerfult, a . [ME. gerful , gereful , geerful , equiv. to gery , changeable, gere , * gire , a circle, course: see gyre .] Changeable; capricious. To preve in that thi gerful violence. Chaucer, Troilus, iv. 286.