The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Parson \Par"son\, n. [OE. persone person, parson, OF. persone,
   F. personne person, LL. persona (sc. ecclesiae), fr. L.
   persona a person. See Person.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. (Eng. Eccl. Law) A person who represents a parish in its
      ecclesiastical and corporate capacities; hence, the rector
      or incumbent of a parochial church, who has full
      possession of all the rights thereof, with the cure of
      souls.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Any clergyman having ecclesiastical preferment; one who is
      in orders, or is licensed to preach; a preacher.
      [1913 Webster]

            He hears the parson pray and preach.  --Longfellow.
      [1913 Webster]

   Parson bird (Zool.), a New Zealand bird (Prosthemadera
      Nov[ae]seelandi[ae]) remarkable for its powers of mimicry
      and its ability to articulate words. Its color is glossy
      black, with a curious tuft of long, curly, white feathers
      on each side of the throat. It is often kept as a cage
      bird.
      [1913 Webster]