Definition of fowl

The word "fowl" originally referred to any type of bird, both wild and domestic, in Old English. It comes from the Old English word "fæle," which literally means "feathered" or "winged." In Middle English, the meaning of "fowl" narrowed slightly to include only birds that were commonly raised for food, such as chickens, geese, and ducks. This usage of the word continues to this day in English and in many other Germanic languages, such as Dutch, German, and Swedish. The etymology of "fowl" is related to other Old English words for birds, such as "fugol," which meant "bird" in general, and "fend," which specifically referred to flight. The prefix "fæ-" in "fæle" likely came from the Proto-Germanic root "fa-, fa-w-," meaning "feather," or the related "fa-k-," meaning "fly." The association of "fowl" with food and agriculture can be seen in the use of the word in modern English phrases such as "fowl house" and "fowlshed" to refer to structures used for raising birds for meat or eggs. Additionally, "poultry" is a term that derives from the Old French word "poltre," meaning "fowl," and is now commonly used to describe domesticated birds raised for food or sport.