[duck] n, pl ducks often attrib [ME duk, doke, fr. OE duce] (bef. 12c) 1 or pl duck a: any of various swimming birds (family Anatidae, the duck family) in which the neck and legs are short, the body more or less depressed, the bill often broad and flat, and the sexes almost always different from each other in plumage b: the flesh of any of these birds used as food
2: a female duck--compare drake 3 chiefly Brit: darling--often used in pl. but sing. in constr.
4: person, creature
[2]duck vb [ME douken; akin to OHG tuhhan to dive, OE duce duck] vt (14c) 1: to thrust under water
2: to lower (as the head) quickly: bow
3: avoid, evade "~ the issue" ~ vi 1 a: to plunge under the surface of water b: to descend suddenly: dip
2. a: to lower the head or body suddenly: dodge b: bow, bob 3 a: to move quickly b: to evade a duty, question, or responsibility -- duck.er n [3]duck n (1554): an instance of ducking [4]duck n [D doek cloth; akin to OHG tuoh cloth] (1640) 1: a durable closely woven usu. cotton fabric
2. pl: light clothes and esp. trousers made of duck