I have come across this word through pure coincidence. 3asfour (literal translation of bird) used to have a double meaning in the pre-1950's in Lebanon - it used to mean homosexual. Obviously, the usage of the word for its subliminal meaning has become obsolete (e.g. "Chou 3asfour heyda" meaning how gay is he). 

The funny part about the story is that I have encountered this word with the second/third generation Lebanese whose parents have emigrated in the 20's and 30's to the Americas (in my case to Cuba) and for whom the Lebanese language, slang and day-to-day language have stopped in time! Needless to say that talking to my Lebanese-descent friend in Lebanese was hilarious to say the least :-)