I. ˈkav, ˈkaf, -aa(ə)-, -ai-, -ȧ-, -ä- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English calven, from Old English cealfian, from cealf calf — more at calf
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to give birth to a calf — sometimes used with down
b. : to bear young : produce offspring
2. of an ice mass : to separate or break so that a part becomes detached
transitive verb
1. : to produce by birth
2. of an ice mass : to let break off and become detached
the glacier calved a large iceberg
II. ˈkȧv, -ȯ- intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: probably from Flemish inkalven to cave in, from in + kalven to bear a calf, to calve (said of a glacier); akin to Old English cealfian
dialect England , of an earth or rock mass : to fall especially from undermining : cave — used with in