n.
/
ˈdiːkɔɪ/
- a bird or mammal, or an imitation of one, used to lure game.
- a person or thing used to mislead or lure someone into a trap.
- a pond from which narrow netted channels lead, into which wild duck may be enticed for capture.
v.
/
dɪˈkɔɪ,
ˈdiːkɔɪ/
lure by means of a decoy.
Etymology
C16 (earlier as coy): from Du. de kooi ‘the decoy’, from MDu. de kouw ‘the cage’, from L. cavea ‘cage’.