duck¹ (dŭk)
n.

1. Any of various wild or domesticated swimming birds of the family Anatidae, characteristically having a broad, flat bill, short legs, and webbed feet.
2. A female duck.
3. The flesh of a duck used as food.
4. Slang. A person, especially one thought of as peculiar.
5. Chiefly British. A dear. Often used in the plural with a singular verb.

[Middle English doke, from Old English dūce, possibly from *dūcan, to dive. See duck².]

duck² (dŭk)

v., ducked, duck·ing, ducks.

v.tr.

1. To lower quickly, especially so as to avoid something: ducked his head as the ball came toward him.
2. To evade; dodge: duck responsibility; ducked the reporter's question.
3. To push suddenly under water. See synonyms at dip.
4. Games. To deliberately play a card that is lower than (an opponent's card).

v.intr.

1. To lower the head or body.
2. To move swiftly, especially so as to escape being seen: ducked behind a bush.
3. To submerge the head or body briefly in water.
4. To evade a responsibility or obligation. Often used with out: duck out on one's family.
5. Games. To lose a trick by deliberately playing lower than one's opponent.

n.

1. A quick lowering of the head or body.
2. A plunge into water.

[Middle English douken, to dive, possibly from Old English *dūcan, akin to Middle Low German and Middle Dutch dūken.]

ducker duck'er n.

duck³ (dŭk)
n.

1. A durable, closely woven heavy cotton or linen fabric.
2. ducks Clothing made of duck, especially white trousers.

[Dutch doek, cloth, from Middle Dutch doec.]

duck⁴ (dŭk)
n. In both senses also called DUKW.

1. An amphibious military truck used during World War II.
2. An amphibious truck used in emergencies, as to evacuate flood victims.

[Alteration (influenced by DUCK¹) of DUKW.]

---

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

---