I. ˈfau̇(-ə)l noun
( plural fowl or fowls )
Etymology: Middle English foul, from Old English fugel; akin to Old High German fogal bird, and probably to Old English flēogan to fly — more at fly
Date: before 12th century
1. : a bird of any kind — compare waterfowl , wildfowl
2.
a. : a cock or hen of the domestic chicken ( Gallus gallus ) ; especially : an adult hen
b. : any of several domesticated or wild gallinaceous birds — compare guinea fowl , jungle fowl
3. : the meat of fowls used as food
II. intransitive verb
Date: before 12th century
: to seek, catch, or kill wildfowl
• fowl·er noun