quack

quack · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The characteristic harsh sound made by a duck.

  2. 2.

    [informal]A person who dishonestly claims to have medical knowledge or skills; a charlatan.

  3. 3.

    [as verb]To make the sound of a duck.

Forms

plural: quacks

Related words

See also: charlatan, duck, impostor
Synonyms: charlatan, impostor

Etymology

From Middle Dutch quacken ("to croak, quack"), of imitative origin. The sense of "medical charlatan" dates from the 17th century, shortened from quacksalver.