quack1
n.
the characteristic harsh sound made by a duck.
v.
make this sound.
Etymology
C16: imitative.
quack2
n.
- an unqualified person who dishonestly claims to have medical knowledge.
- Brit. informal a doctor.
Derivative
- quackery n.
- quackish adj.
Etymology
C17: abbrev. of earlier quacksalver, from Du., prob. from obs. quacken ‘prattle’ + salf, zalf (see salve1).