Peck | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Pĕck, n.

noun

n. [Probably a modification of pack; but cf. also Fr. picotin, a peck.]

The fourth part of a bushel; a dry measure of eight quarts; as, a peck of wheat or oats.
Hence, a great deal; as, to be in a peck of troubles. [Colloq.] “Contented to remain in such a peck of uncertainties and doubts.” Milton.

Pĕck, v. t.

verbtransitive

[imp. & p. p. PECKED (pĕkt); p. pr. & vb. n. PECKING.] [A modification of pick, q. v.; D. becken, pĭkken, L. Ger. bĭkken, H. Ger. picken, Sw. picka, Dan. pikke.] 1. To strike with the beak; to thrust the beak into; as, a bird that pecks a hole in a tree. 'Tis but the tender fierceness of the dove, Pecking the hand that hovers o'er her mate. Byron.

To strike with a pointed instrument, or to delve or dig with any thing pointed, as with a pick-ax.
To pick up with the beak. Dryden.
To strike with small and repeated blows.

Pĕck, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. To make strokes with the beak, or something like a beak. To peck at, to belabor with petty and repeated blows; to attack with petty and repeated criticism.