funk

Etymology 1

1620, from French dialectal (Norman) funquer, funquier (“to smoke, reek”), from Old Northern French fungier (“to smoke”), from Vulgar Latin fūmicāre, alteration of Latin fūmigāre (“to smoke, fumigate”). Related to French dialect funkière (“smoke”). More at fumigate.

noun

1. (countable) Foul or unpleasant smell, especially body odor.
   The foulest stench is in the air; the funk of 40,000 years and grizzly ghouls from every tomb are closing in to seal your doom. 1982, “Thriller”, in Rod Temperton (lyrics), Quincy Jones (music), Thriller, performed by Michael Jackson (featuring Vincent Price), Epic Records
2. (uncountable, music) A style of music derived from 1960s soul music, with elements of rock and other styles, characterized by a prominent bass guitar, dance-friendly sound, a strong emphasis on the downbeat, and much syncopation.

verb

1. (intransitive) To emit an offensive smell; to stink.
2. (transitive) To envelop with an offensive smell or smoke.
   He funks Basketia and her son to death c. 1709, William King, The Furmentary
   Funking a cobbler – that is, blowing smoke into his stall; smoking cigars at divans and club houses; […] 2012, M. C. Beaton, Diana the Huntress

Etymology 2

From Middle English funke, fonke (“spark”), from Old English *funca (“spark”), from Proto-Germanic *funkô (“spark”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)peng- (“to shine”). Cognate with Middle Low German funke, fanke (“spark”), Middle Dutch vonke (“spark”), Old High German funcho, funko (“spark”), German Funke (“spark”). See also spunk.

noun

1. (obsolete) Touchwood, punk, tinder.

Etymology 3

1743, Scottish and Northern English dialectal word, originally a verb meaning "to panic, fail due to panic". Perhaps from or cognate with obsolete Dutch fonck (“distress, agitation”), from Middle Dutch fonck (“perturbation, agitation”). More at flunk.

noun

1. (countable) Mental depression.
2. (uncountable) A state of fear or panic, especially cowardly.
   1944 (written, first published in 2015), Bob Cooney, Proud Journey As I left the platform, the atmosphere was tense but there was no sign of uneasiness or funk […]
3. (countable) One who fears or panics; a coward.
   It is the long probation in the old way of teaching that fellows funk at or makes funks of them and their slow pace, almost up to the end of that probation, all who teach themselves are in a worse predicament as the hands with them are made the principle propellors instead of the feet. 1875, The Art of Swimming in the Eton Style, The Art of Swimming in the Eton Style

verb

1. (transitive, intransitive) To shrink from, or avoid something because of fear.
   It is the long probation in the old way of teaching that fellows funk at or makes funks of them and their slow pace, almost up to the end of that probation, all who teach themselves are in a worse predicament as the hands with them are made the principle propellors instead of the feet. 1875, The Art of Swimming in the Eton Style, The Art of Swimming in the Eton Style
2. (transitive) To frighten; to cause to flinch.