QUAIL

I. noun (plural ~ or ~s) Etymology: Middle English ~e, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin quaccula, of imitative origin Date: 14th century any of numerous small gallinaceous birds: as, an Old World migratory game bird ( Coturnix coturnix ), bobwhite , II. verb Etymology: Middle English, from Middle Dutch quelen Date: 15th century intransitive verb 1. wither , decline , to give way ; falter , to recoil in dread or terror ; cower , transitive verb to make fearful, see: recoil