Peck
/pɛk/noun
To strike or pick at repeatedly with a beak or pointed object, or to kiss briefly.
Did you know?The verb and noun are tied to a long Germanic history of quick, pointed striking, and the word’s modern “kiss” sense is a later metaphor built from that same tapping motion.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*pekkōną
“to peck, pick, or strike with a pointed motion”
Old English
OE
pecian
“to peck or pick at”
Middle English
ME
pekken
“to strike with the beak; to pick at”
16th Century
English
peck
“to strike repeatedly with a beak or pointed tool”
Modern English
English
peck
“to strike or pick at repeatedly; also, a brief kiss”