[a. Flem. smerle, prob. a special application of older smerle (now smerlijn) merlin.] A variety of the domestic pigeon.
1869. Tegetmeier, Pigeons, iv. 47. We had a pair of Smerles, or Short-faced Antwerp cocks.
1879. L. Wright, Pigeon Keeper, 210. A really Belgian pigeon called the Smerle.
