I. ˈkälē, -li transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: alteration (influenced by colly ) (II) of Middle English colwen, from (assumed) Old English colgian , from col coal — more at coal
dialect chiefly Britain : to blacken with or as if with soot or smut
II. adjective
( often -er/-est )
Etymology: earlier colie, from (assumed) Middle English coly, from Middle English cole coal + -y
dialect chiefly Britain : grimed with or as if with coal dust or soot : black
III. noun
( -es )
chiefly dialect Britain : soot , smut
IV. noun
( -es )
dialect England : blackbird