[fledge] vb fledged ; fledg.ing [fledge capable of flying, fr. ME flegge, fr. OE -flycge; akin to OHG flucki capable of flying, OE fleogan to fly--more at fly] vi (1566) of a bird: to acquire the feathers necessary for flight or independent activity ~ vt 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