Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
PLUCK
I. verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English pluccian; akin to Middle High German pflücken to pluck Date: before 12th century transitive verb to pull or pick off or out,
2. to remove something (as hairs) from by or as if by plucking , rob , fleece , to move, remove, or separate forcibly or abruptly ,
4. to pick, pull, or grasp at, to play by sounding the strings with the fingers or a pick, intransitive verb to make a sharp pull or twitch, plucker noun
II. noun
Date: 15th century
an act or instance of plucking or pulling, the heart, liver, lungs, and trachea of a slaughtered animal especially as an item of food, courageous readiness to fight or continue against odds ; dogged resolution