Main Entry: ¹fowl

Pronunciation: \ˈfau̇(-ə)l\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural fowl or fowls

Etymology: Middle English foul, from Old English fugel; akin to Old High German fogal bird, and probably to Old English flēogan to fly — more at fly

Date: before 12th century

1 : a bird of any kind — compare waterfowl, wildfowl
2 a : a cock or hen of the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus); especially : an adult hen b : any of several domesticated or wild gallinaceous birds — compare guinea fowl, jungle fowl
3 : the meat of fowls used as food