v.
Pronunciation: ' flej
Function: verb
Inflected Form: fledged ; fledg · ing
Etymology: fledge capable of flying, from Middle English flegge, from Old English -flycge; akin to Old High German flucki capable of flying, Old English fl ē ogan to fly ― more at FLY
Date: 1566
intransitive verb of a young bird : to acquire the feathers necessary for flight or independent activity also : to leave the nest after acquiring such feathers
transitive verb
1 : to rear until ready for flight or independent activity
2 : to cover with or as if with feathers or down
3 : to furnish (as an arrow) with feathers