Canard (noun)

1. A false or unfounded report or story.
2. A duck, especially a wild one.

Origin:

Mid 18th century: french, literally "duck", from latin canardus, from canere "to sing" (because of the duck"s call).

Examples:

1. The newspaper published a retraction of the canard it had printed the previous day.
2. The canard that the company was about to go bankrupt was quickly disproved.
3. The canard that the new drug was dangerous was eventually proven false.
4. The canard flew overhead and landed on the lake.
5. The canard was a common sight on the pond in the park.