n. & v. (pl. same or fowls)
--n.
1. any domestic cock or hen of various gallinaceous birds, kept for eggs and flesh.
2 the flesh of birds, esp. a domestic cock or hen, as food.
3 archaic (except in comb. or collect.) a bird (guineafowl; wildfowl).
--v.intr. catch or hunt wildfowl.
Phrases and idioms:
fowl cholera see CHOLERA. fowl pest an infectious virus disease of fowls. fowl-run
1. a place where fowls may run.
2 a breeding establishment for fowls.
Derivatives:
fowler n. fowling n.
Etymology: OE fugol f. Gmc