n. & v.
n. 1 an outdoor over-garment, usu. sleeveless, hanging loosely from the shoulders. 2 a covering (cloak of snow). 3 (in pl.) = CLOAKROOM.
v.tr. 1 cover with a cloak. 2 conceal, disguise. cloak-and-dagger involving intrigue and espionage. under the cloak of using as a pretext.
[ ME f. OF cloke, dial. var. of cloche bell, cloak (from its bell shape) f. med.L clocca bell: see CLOCK(1) ]