Duck

[See the verb.] ( Zool.) See Anas. -A sudden inclination of the head downward, as a mark of respect or obeisance; -derived from the action of a duck in water; as, "without duck or nod." ( Milton.) -A stone made to ricochet on the surface of the water; as, to play at ducks and drakes. See DRAKE. v. a. [Ger. ducken . See DIP and DIVE.] To dip; to immerse; to plunge into water, and suddenly withdraw; as, to duck a bather in the sea. To plunge, as the head, in water, and immediately withdraw it; as, to duck a child in a wash-tub.- To drop the head by a sudden motion, to evade a mi ile; as, "the bullets will duck his head aside." ( Swift .) - To bow; to stoop; to bend the head obsequiously; - followed by to in most cases. "The learned pate ducks to the golden fool."- Shaks . n. To plunge into water, and immediately withdraw; to dip; to take a header into water. To bow; to cringe; to incline the head, as a mark of respect, reverence, or deference.