Etymology: Probably < Anglo-Norman pek, pec, pekke, pekk unit of capacity for dry goods (c1240), of uncertain origin; post-classical Latin pecca , peccum a dry measure (frequently from 1308 in British sources), vessel of this capacity (1338, 1393 in British sources) are probably from Anglo-Norman; perhaps related to Old French, Middle French picotin (French picotin ) a small measure of oats (the fourth part of a boisseau), allotted food (for horses) (13th cent.; compare Old Occitan picot , picotin (14th cent.), Franco-Provençal picote a measure of wine (1385; also: ‘a liquid measure’ more generally)), which is also of uncertain origin, perhaps < picoter to prick repeatedly, to peck (see picotee n.), although this is first attested later. Alternatively, the present word may be < peck v.¹ (although this is first attested later than Anglo-Norman pek ), perhaps influenced by Old French, Middle French picotin (with the semantic development compare also peck n.³ 1). Compare also post-classical Latin picotinus (in undated French texts in Du Cange), post-classical Latin picotus , picota a liquid measure (13th cent.), and perhaps also post-classical Latin pecia (see piece n.).It is uncertain whether examples such as the following are to be interpreted as showing the Middle English or the Anglo-Norman word:1296–7 in L. M. Midgley Ministers' Accts. Earldom of Cornwall (1942) I. 89 De quibus [sc. oats] computat in semine..super acram 2 ½ buss. et 1 peck plus seminatur in toto.1352 in J. T. Fowler Memorials Church SS. Peter & Wilfrid, Ripon (1882) I. 236 Et cuilibet leproso unum pek frumenti et unum denarium.1352 in D. Yaxley Researcher's Gloss. Hist. Documents E. Anglia (2003) 150 j peck [of straw].a1377 (a1307) in S. R. Scargill-Bird Custumals Battle Abbey (1887) 14 Et debet cariare j ambram, j bussellum, et pek salis. Also, in sense 1a:1296 Acct. Rolls Great Amwell in Middle Eng. Dict. at Pek(ke i peck de Lingno.1312–13 in W. Hudson Leet Jurisdict. Norwich (1892) 60 Emit avenam antequam venit ad forum et..similiter vendit per pekkes que non sunt mensure Domini Regis.1352 in D. Yaxley Researcher's Gloss. Hist. Documents E. Anglia (2003) 150 j pecke [bound with iron]. Earlier currency is perhaps implied by the surname Richard Pecke (1187).

Etymology: Apparently originally a variant (with short vowel) of peak n.² In some instances in later use (especially in sense 2) perhaps a variant of pick n.¹ Compare Middle Dutch pecke pickaxe, pointed implement. Compare later pecked adj.²With sense 2 compare also γ forms s.v. pickaxe n. For rhyme evidence perhaps indicating that peak n.² could be pronounced with a shortened vowel in the late 17th cent. see E. J. Dobson Eng. Pronunc. 1500–1700 (ed. 2, 1968) II. § 116 note 2.

Etymology: < peck v.¹With peck right compare peck order n. and earlier pecking order n.

Etymology: Shortened < peckerwood n., although this is first attested slightly later in the corresponding sense.

Etymology: Apparently originally a variant of pick v.¹ Compare Middle Dutch pecken (early modern Dutch pekken ; variant of picken : see pick v.¹).In sense 2d probably after peck n.³ 3b.

Etymology: Originally a variant of pick v.² (see also discussion s.v. pitch v.¹).With sense 1 compare earlier to pick over the perch at pick v.² 4a and later to peak over the perch at peak v.¹ 4. See perch n.¹ Phrases 1 and perch n.¹ Phrases 2 for various parallel phrases. In sense 2 in later use perhaps partly a variant of or associated with peg v. In sense 4 perhaps sometimes associated with peck v.¹ 7.

Etymology: < German regional (chiefly Austria) pecken, variant of picken to peck (see pick v.¹). Compare pick v.³