Fowl — Defs

01 n. Any bird; esp., any large edible bird.

pl. Fowls

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).

Phrases & compounds

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

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

imp. & p. p. Fowled; p. pr. & vb. n. Fowling

1.
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.

Phrases & compounds

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