Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DUCK, v.t. [G. ducken, and tauchen; D. duiken, pret. dock, to stoop, dive, plunge. Qu. Sax. theachan, to wash, and its alliance to tingo and dye. Class Dg.]

1. To dip or plunge in water and suddenly withdraw; as, to duck a seaman. It differs from dive, which signifies to plunge one's self, without immediately emerging.
2. To plunge the head in water and immediately withdraw it; as, duck the boy.
3. To bow, stoop, or nod.