† ˈcouvey, covie, v. Obs.
Also 7 couvie, -y.
[Var. of couve, cove v., perh. affected by the cognate n. couvie, covey, F. couvée.]
intr. = couve, cove v.
| 1598 Florio, Accouare, to hatch, to lie close as a hen ouer hir chickens, to squat, to couie. 1601 Holland Pliny x. liii, Doves lay and couvey ten times in the yeere. Ibid. (1634) I. 241 They [tortoises] couvie a whole yeare before they hatch. Ibid. 318 Bees couvy and sit as hens do. |