- flicker (n.)
- 1849, "wavering, unsteady light or flame;" 1857 as "a flickering," from flicker (v.).
- flicker (v.)
- Old English flicorian "to flutter, flap quickly and lightly," originally of birds. Onomatopoeic and suggestive of quick motion. Sense of "shine with a wavering light" is c.1600, but not common till 19c. Related: Flickered; flickering.
- flicker (n.)
- "woodpecker," 1808, American English, possibly echoic of bird's note, or from white spots on plumage that seem to flicker as it flits from tree to tree.