n. & v.
n. 1 a cage placed over sitting or fattening fowls. 2 a fowl-run. 3 a small place of confinement, esp. a prison. 4 Brit. a basket used in catching fish.
v.tr. 1 put or keep (a fowl) in a coop. 2 (often foll. by up, in) confine (a person) in a small space.
[ ME cupe basket f. MDu., MLG kupe, ult. f. L cupa cask ]