DUCK

I. noun (plural ~s) Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English duk, doke, from Old English dūce Date: before 12th century 1. or plural ~ any of various swimming birds (family Anatidae, the ~ family) in which the neck and legs are short, the feet typically webbed, the bill often broad and flat, and the sexes usually different from each other in plumage, the flesh of any of these birds used as food, a female ~, darling , person , creature , II. verb Etymology: Middle English douken; akin to Old High German tūhhan to dive, Old English dūce ~ Date: 14th century transitive verb to thrust under water, to lower (as the head) quickly ; bow , avoid , evade , intransitive verb 1. to plunge under the surface of water, to descend suddenly ; dip , 2. to lower the head or body suddenly ; dodge , bow , bob , 3. to move quickly, to evade a duty, question, or responsibility, ~er noun III. noun Date: 1554 an instance of ~ing, IV. noun Etymology: Dutch doek cloth; akin to Old High German tuoh cloth Date: 1640 a durable closely woven usually cotton fabric, light clothes and especially trousers made of ~