\Fowl\, n.
Note: Instead of the pl. {Fowls} the singular is often used
      collectively. [OE. foul, fowel, foghel, fuhel, fugel,
      AS. fugol; akin to OS. fugal D. & G. vogel, OHG. fogal,
      Icel. & Dan. fugl, Sw. fogel, f[*a]gel, Goth. fugls; of
      unknown origin, possibly by loss of l, from the root of
      E. fly, or akin to E. fox, as being a tailed animal.]
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}).
{Barndoor fowl}, or {Barnyard fowl}, a fowl that frequents
   the barnyard; the common domestic cock or hen.

\Fowl\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fowled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fowling}.]
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.
{Fowling piece}, a light gun with smooth bore, adapted for
   the use of small shot in killing birds or small
   quadrupeds.