Mallophaga \Mal*loph"a*ga\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a lock of wool + ? to eat.]

(Zo["o]l.) An extensive group of insects which are parasitic on birds and mammals, and feed on the feathers and hair; -- called also bird lice. See Bird louse, under Bird.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)