'duck' originates from Old English 'duce' (noun) and 'ducan' (verb), related to Proto-Germanic '*dukaną' meaning 'to dive' or 'to duck'.

'duck' changed from Old English 'ducan' (verb 'to dive') and the noun 'duce' (a diver) through Middle English forms such as 'ducken' and eventually became the modern English word 'duck'.

Initially, it meant 'to dive' (verb) and 'diver' (noun); over time the noun came to denote the specific waterfowl (named for diving behavior) and the verb broadened to mean 'to lower the head quickly' or 'to avoid (responsibility)'.