n. & v.
--n.
1. a cage placed over sitting or fattening fowls.
2 a fowl-run.
3 a small place of confinement, esp. a prison.
4 Brit. a basket used in catching fish.
--v.tr.
1. put or keep (a fowl) in a coop.
2 (often foll. by up, in) confine (a person) in a small space.
Etymology: ME cupe basket f. MDu., MLG kupe, ult. f. L cupa cask