seel

verb

ˈsēl 

seeled; seeling; seels

transitive verb

1

: to close the eyes of (a bird, such as a hawk) by drawing threads through the eyelids

2

archaic : to close up (one's eyes)

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English silen, from Anglo-French ciller, from Medieval Latin ciliare, from Latin cilium eyelid

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1