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peck

1. To strike with the beak; to thrust the beak into; as, a bird pecks a tree.

2. Hence: To strike, pick, thrust against, or dig into, with a pointed instrument; especially, to strike, pick, etc, with repeated quick movements.

3. To seize and pick up with the beak, or as with the beak; to bite; to eat; often with up. This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons peas. (Shak)

4. To make, by striking with the beak or a pointed instrument; as, to peck a hole in a tree.

Origin: See Pick.