Fowl \Fowl\, n.

Note: Instead of the pl. Fowls the singular is often used collectively. [OE. foul, fowel, foghel, fuhel, fugel, AS. fugol; akin to OS. fugal D. & G. vogel, OHG. fogal, Icel. & Dan. fugl, Sw. fogel, f[*a]gel, Goth. fugls; of unknown origin, possibly by loss of l, from the root of E. fly, or akin to E. fox, as being a tailed animal.]

1. Any bird; esp., any large edible bird.

Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air. --Gen. i. 26.

Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not. --Matt. vi. 26.

Like a flight of fowl Scattered by winds and high tempestuous gusts. --Shak.

2. Any domesticated bird used as food, as a hen, turkey, duck; in a more restricted sense, the common domestic cock or hen (Gallus domesticus).

Barndoor fowl, or Barnyard fowl, a fowl that frequents the barnyard; the common domestic cock or hen.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Fowl \Fowl\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Fowled; p. pr. & vb. n. Fowling.]

To catch or kill wild fowl, for game or food, as by shooting, or by decoys, nets, etc.

Such persons as may lawfully hunt, fish, or fowl. --Blackstone.

Fowling piece, a light gun with smooth bore, adapted for the use of small shot in killing birds or small quadrupeds.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)