Main Entry: ³preen

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English prenen, alteration of proynen, prunen, from Anglo-French puroindre, proindre, from pur- thoroughly + uindre, oindre to anoint, rub, from Latin unguere — more at purchase, ointment

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 of a bird : to groom with the bill especially by rearranging the barbs and barbules of the feathers and by distributing oil from the uropygial gland
2 : to dress or smooth (oneself) up : primp
3 : to pride or congratulate (oneself) for achievementintransitive verb 1 : to make oneself sleek
2 : gloat, swell

— preen·er noun