n.
Pronunciation: ' fau ̇ (- ə )l
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural fowl or fowls
Etymology: Middle English foul, from Old English fugel; akin to Old High German fogal bird, and probably to Old English fl ē ogan to fly ― more at FLY
Date: before 12th century
1 : a bird of any kind ― compare WATERFOWL , WILDFOWL
2 a : a cock or hen of the domestic chicken ( Gallus gallus ) especially : an adult hen b : any of several domesticated or wild gallinaceous birds ― compare GUINEA FOWL , JUNGLE FOWL
3 : the meat of fowls used as food