a falcon, Falco biarmicus, of southern Europe, northern Africa, and southern Asia.
2.
Falconry. the female of this bird.
Origin: 1250–1300; ME laner < MF lanier kind of falcon, lit., wool weaver (< L lānārius;), a term of abuse in the early Middle Ages, applied esp. to laggards and cowards, and so to the lanner, slow in flight and thought to be cowardly