Obs. Also 5 kauke, 6–7 cawk. [a. ONF. caukier, cauquer (mod.Picard coker, F. côcher):—L. calcāre to tread.] intr. To tread, to copulate as birds. Hence Cauking vbl. sb.
(Quots. 1486–1575 are difficult: cf. CAWK v. to call as some birds.)
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XI. 350. Some bryddes at þe bille þorwgh brethynge conceyued; And some kauked. Ibid. (1393), C. XV. 162. He [kynde] tauhte þe tortle to trede, þe pokok to cauke.
1486. Bk. St. Albans, A ij a. Hawkis … in the tyme of their loue call and not kauke.
1575. Turberv., Falconrie, 21. When the Eagle beginneth to growe to lyking neare cawking or calling time.
1675. Phil. Trans., X. 466. Her natural male dares not sit by her [the Peregrine falcon] … but only in cawking time.
1704. Worlidge, Dict. Rust. et Urb. Cawking-time, by this in the Art of Faulconry is meant Hawk’s treading-time.
