quail 1
— quaillike , adj.
/kwayl/ , n. , pl. quails , ( esp. collectively ) quail .
1. a small, migratory, gallinaceous game bird, Coturnix coturnix, of the Old World.
2. any of several other birds of the genus Coturnix and allied genera.
3. any of various New World gallinaceous game birds of the genus Colinus and allied genera, esp. the bobwhite.
4. Slang. a woman or girl.
[ 1300-50; ME quaille kwakkel quail, MD, MLG quackele; akin to QUACK 1 ]
quail 2
/kwayl/ , v.i.
to lose heart or courage in difficulty or danger; shrink with fear.
[ 1400-50; late ME quelen, queilen ]
Syn . recoil, flinch, blench, cower. See wince .