Hawk

n. [A-S. hafoc, D. & O. L. Ger. havik, O. H. Ger. habuch, M. H. Ger. habech, habich, N. H. Ger. habicht, Icel. haukr, Sw. hōk, Dan. hōg, W. hebog.] (Ornith.) A bird resembling the falcons, except in the shortness of its wings, having a beak which curves from the base to the tip, and a head thick set with feathers. Most of the species are rapacious, and some were formerly trained to hunt and catch other birds.

Black hawk, the Archibuteo Sancti-johannis of North America. — Swallow-tailed hawk, a variety of kite.

v. i. [imp. & p. p. HAWKED (hawkt); p. pr. & vb. n. HAWKING.] 1. To catch, or attempt to catch, birds by means of hawks trained for the purpose, and let loose on the prey; to practice falconry. “He that hawks at larks and sparrows.” Locke. A falconer Henry is when Emma hawks. Prior. 2. To make an attack on the wing; to soar or strike like a hawk; — generally with at. “To hawk at flies.” Dryden.

v. t. To raise by hawking, as phlegm.

n. [W. hoch. See supra.] An effort to force up phlegm from the throat, accompanied with noise.

[Ger. höken, höcken, to higgle, to retail, höke, höcke, hoke, höker, höcker, hoker, a higgler, huckster, M. H. Ger. hocke, hucker, Dan. höker, Sw. hökare, L. Ger. häker, from Ger. hocken, hucken, to take upon the back, hocke, hucke, the back.] To offer for sale by outcry in the street, or to sell by outcry; to cry; as, to hawk goods or pamphlets.

(Masonry.) A small board, with a handle on the under side, to hold mortar.