n. & v.
n. (usu. in pl.) 1 the respiratory organ in fishes and other aquatic animals. 2 the vertical radial plates on the underside of mushrooms and other fungi. 3 the flesh below a person's jaws and ears (green about the gills). 4 the wattles or dewlap of fowls.
v.tr. 1 gut (a fish). 2 cut off the gills of (a mushroom). 3 catch in a gill-net. gill-cover a bony case protecting a fish's gills; an operculum. gill-net a net for entangling fishes by the gills. gilled adj. (also in comb.).
[ ME f. ON gil (unrecorded) f. Gmc ]