Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CLUCK, v.i. [Sax. cloccan; Dan. klukker; Sw. klycka; G. glucken; D. klokken; W. clwcian, clocian; Arm. clochat; L. glocio; It. chiocciare; Sp. clocar, cloquear; Ch. גלג. Class Lg. No. 27. See Clack and Clock. The Gr. κλωζω seems to be the same word, as it gives κλωγμος; the guttural passing into ζ, as in many Greek verbs; and hence Fr. glousser. See Brace.]

To make the noise, or utter the voice of the domestic hen, when sitting on eggs for hatching, and when conducting her chickens. This voice, with the change of the vowel, is precisely our word clack and clock, and is probably an onomatopy. [See Clack and Clock.]