Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
DUCK
I. noun (plural ducks)
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English duk, doke, from Old English dūce Date: before 12th century
1. or plural duck any of various swimming birds (family Anatidae, the duck family) in which the neck and legs are short, the feet typically webbed, the bill often broad and flat, and the sexes usually different from each other in plumage, the flesh of any of these birds used as food, a female duck, darling , person , creature ,
II. verb
Etymology: Middle English douken; akin to Old High German tūhhan to dive, Old English dūce duck
Date: 14th century
transitive verb to thrust under water, to lower (as the head) quickly ; bow , avoid , evade , intransitive verb
1. to plunge under the surface of water, to descend suddenly ; dip ,
2. to lower the head or body suddenly ; dodge , bow , bob ,
3. to move quickly, to evade a duty, question, or responsibility, ducker noun
III. noun
Date: 1554
an instance of ducking,
IV. noun
Etymology: Dutch doek cloth; akin to Old High German tuoh cloth
Date: 1640
a durable closely woven usually cotton fabric, light clothes and especially trousers made of duck