quail1
n.
(pl. same or quails)
a small short-tailed game bird.
[
Coturnix coturnix and other species.]
Etymology
ME: from OFr. quaille, from med. L. coacula (prob. imitative of its call).
quail2
v.
feel or show fear or apprehension.
Etymology
ME (in the sense ‘waste away’): of unknown origin.
