fowl
UK: faʊl | US: faʊl
n. a bird, especially a domesticated bird kept for its meat or eggs (e.g., chicken, duck, goose)
n. (archaic) birds collectively, particularly wild birds hunted for food
The word "fowl" traces back to Old English fugol (bird), derived from Proto-Germanic fuglaz, which likely originated from the Proto-Indo-European root pleuk- (to fly). Over time, the meaning narrowed from "bird" in general to domesticated or hunted birds. The spelling evolved from fugol to Middle English foul and later standardized as "fowl." Its Germanic roots are shared with modern German Vogel and Dutch vogel.
The farmer raised fowl such as chickens and ducks for their eggs.
In medieval times, hunting wild fowl was a common practice.
The term "waterfowl" refers to birds like geese and swans.
She prepared a roast fowl for the holiday dinner.
The forest echoed with the calls of various fowl at dawn.