I. ˈmilk noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English meolc, milc; akin to Old High German miluh milk, Old English melcan to milk — more at emulsion
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a fluid secreted by the mammary glands of females for the nourishment of their young ; especially : cow's milk used as a food by humans
b. : lactation
cows in milk
2. : a liquid resembling milk in appearance: as
a. : the latex of a plant
b. : the juice of a coconut composed of liquid endosperm
c. : the contents of an unripe kernel of grain
II. verb
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to draw milk from the breasts or udder of
(2) obsolete : suckle 2
b. : to draw (milk) from the breast or udder
c. : suckle 1 — used of domestic animals
2. : to draw something from as if by milking: as
a. : to induce (a snake) to eject venom
b. : to draw or coerce profit or advantage from illicitly or to an extreme degree : exploit
milk the joke for all it's worth
intransitive verb
: to draw or yield milk
III. adjective
Date: 14th century
: giving milk ; specifically : bred or suitable primarily for milk production
milk cows