Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DUCK, n.² [from the verb, to duck.]

1. A water fowl, so called from its plunging. There are many species or varieties of the duck, some wild, others tame.
2. An inclination of the head, resembling the motion of a duck in water. – Milton.
3. A stone thrown obliquely on the water, so as to rebound; as in duck and drake. – Johnson. DUCK, n³. [Dan. dukke, a baby or puppet.] A word of endearment or fondness. – Shak.