\Cov"ey\ (k?v"?), n. [OF. cov?e, F. couv?e, fr. cover, F.
couver, to sit or brood on, fr. L. cubare to lie down; cf. E.
incubate. See {Cubit}, and cf. {Cove} to brood.]
1. A brood or hatch of birds; an old bird with her brood of
   young; hence, a small flock or number of birds together;
   -- said of game; as, a covey of partridges. --Darwin.
2. A company; a bevy; as, a covey of girls. --Addison.

\Cov"ey\, v. i.
To brood; to incubate. [Obs.]
      [Tortoises] covey a whole year before they hatch.
                                               --Holland.

\Cov"ey\, n.
A pantry. [Prov. Eng.] --Parker.