sheldrake (n.) Look up sheldrake at Dictionary.com
early 14c., from sheld- "variegated" + drake "male duck." First element cognate with Middle Dutch schillede, West Flemish schilde, from schillen (Dutch verschillen "to make different"), from Proto-Germanic *skeli-, from PIE root *(s)kel- "to cut." This is considered the most likely origin, though English sheld by itself is a dialect word attested only from c.1500.