debeak

[dee-beek]

verb (used with object)

Veterinary Medicine.

1. to remove the upper beak from (a bird) to prevent egg eating or attacks on other birds.

debeak

verb

1. to remove part of the beak of poultry to reduce the risk of such habits as feather-picking or cannibalism

Other Word Forms

• debeaker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of debeak¹

First recorded in 1935–40; de- + beak