turtledove

Noun

turtle dove (plural turtle doves)

1. Any of several (species of) birds, called by this traditional name, mainly in the genus Streptopelia, of the family Columbidae (doves and pigeons, which also included the extinct passenger pigeon, dodo, and solitaire).
2. A lover, one half of a couple.
   • […] and then on a common impulse this curiously simple pair of habitual criminals were in each other's arms and exchanging fond kisses for all the world like honest lovers.
     "Hullo, turtle doves," remarked Nickle, stumbling in upon this idyll and accepting it with saving coolness.1934, Ernest Bramah, The Bravo of London