Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1300-1400
Origin: Probably from pick

peck

1 verb
     
peck
Related topics: Birds
peck1
1 [intransitive and transitive]HBB if a bird pecks something or pecks at something, it makes quick repeated movements with its beak to try to eat part of it, make a hole in it etc
peck at
birds pecking at breadcrumbs on the pavement
2

peck somebody on the cheek/forehead etc

to kiss someone quickly and lightly:
She pecked her father lightly on the cheek.

peck at something

phrasal verb
DF to eat only a little bit of a meal because you are not interested in it or not hungry:
She pecked at her food in silence.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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