Flicker \Flick"er\ (-[~e]r), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Flickered (-[~e]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. Flickering.]

[OE. flikeren, flekeren, to flutter, AS. flicerian, flicorian, cf. D. flikkeren to sparkle. [root]84. Cf. Flacker.]

1. To flutter; to flap the wings without flying.

And flickering on her nest made short essays to sing. --Dryden.

2. To waver unsteadily, like a flame in a current of air, or when about to expire; as, the flickering light.

The shadows flicker to fro. --Tennyson.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Flicker \Flick"er\, n.

1. The act of wavering or of fluttering; flucuation; sudden and brief increase of brightness; as, the last flicker of the dying flame.

2. (Zo["o]l.) The golden-winged woodpecker (Colaptes aurutus); -- so called from its spring note. Called also yellow-hammer, high-holder, pigeon woodpecker, and yucca.

The cackle of the flicker among the oaks. --Thoureau.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)