Middle English Dictionary Entry
quē̆ken v.
Entry Info
| Forms | quē̆ken v. Also quek(e; sg.3 queketh, queket, kekes, (error) quelkes. |
| Etymology | From quē̆k(e interj. & MDu. quacken to croak like a frog, make a noise like a duck, goose, quail, etc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Of a duck: to quack; of a goose: honk; (b) to fart; (c) to make a choking sound.
Associated quotations
a
- a1325 Gloss.Bibbesw.(Cmb Gg.1.1)260 : Ane en mareis iaroile [glossed:] quelkes [vrr. queket, kekys].
- a1333 Gloss.Bibbesw.(Add 46919)p.71 : Queketh [vr. cryes; glossing AF (Cmb): iaroile].
- c1350 Cmb.Ee.4.20.Nominale (Cmb Ee.4.20)843 : Ane iarule: Doke qwekyth.
- c1400 Femina (Trin-C B.14.40)7 : Lane Iaroyle en la Ryuer..þe doke quekeþ in þe Ryuer.
- c1500(1342) The fals fox (Cmb Ee.1.12)18 : The fals fox came vnto our cowpe, And ther he made our gese to stowpe. He toke a gose fast by the nek, And the goose thoo began to quek.
b
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)27/354 : I ffalle down here a ffowle freke, ffor þis ffalle I gynne to qweke, with a ffart my brech I breke, my sorwe comyth ful sone.
c
- (1440) Capgr.St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55)1127 : The mayde roos up and both hire handis cast Onto þe stole þat hing aboute his nek; Sche held him soo þat he gan to qwek.