peep

Etymology 1

From Middle English pepen. Compare Dutch piepen (“peep”), German Low German piepen (“to peep”), German piepen and pfeifen, all probably onomatopoeic.

noun

1. A short, soft, high-pitched sound, as made by a baby bird.
2. A feeble utterance or complaint.
   I don't want to hear a peep out of you!
3. The sound of a steam engine's whistle; typically shrill.
   "Peep, peep," said Edward, "I'm ready." "Peep, peep, peep," said Henry, "so am I." 2001, Rev. W. Awdry, Thomas the tank engine collection : a unique collection of stories from the railway series - p. 177 - Egmont Books, Limited, Aug 15, 2001
4. (birdwatching, colloquial) A sandpiper or other small wader.

verb

1. To make a soft, shrill noise like a baby bird.
2. To speak briefly with a quiet voice.

Etymology 2

From Middle English pepen, variant of piken.

verb

1. (intransitive) To look, especially through a narrow opening, or while trying not to be seen or noticed.
   The man peeped through the small hole.
   But Richmond[…]appeared to lose himself in his own reflections. Some pickled crab, which he had not touched, had been removed with a damson pie; and his sister saw, peeping around the massive silver epergne that almost obscured him from her view, that he had eaten no more than a spoonful of that either. 1959, Georgette Heyer, chapter 1, in The Unknown Ajax
2. (intransitive) To begin to appear; to look forth from concealment; to make the first appearance.
3. (transitive, slang) To take a look at; check out.
   Did you peep that video I sent you?
   Peep me, I'm fabulous, I work with the hardest working women at Kay Jeweler's, selling the finest jewels to the richest people. 2019 December, Justin Blackburn, The Bisexual Christian Suburban Failure Enlightening Bipolar Blues, page 96
4. (transitive, African-American Vernacular, slang) To see, uncover.

noun

1. A quick look or glimpse, especially a furtive one.
   I was sick with dread, but I bravely said: "I'll just take a peep inside. / I guess he's cooked, and it's time I looked"; […] then the door I opened wide. 1907, Robert W. Service, “The Cremation of Sam McGee”, in The Spell of the Yukon and Other Verses
   He did manage a brief peep at the building’s Rotunda as he called on members of the Senate Judiciary Committee in July. 1990-10-05, “Souter plans to get right down to work”, in Fort Worth Star-Telegram, volume 85, number 154, section 1, page 14
   But at last Mr. Fox gave the order to stop. "I think," he said, "we had better take a peep upstairs now and see where we are. I know where I want to be, but I can't possibly be sure we're anywhere near it." 1970, Roald Dahl, Fantastic Mr. Fox, New York: Alfred A. Knopf, page 30
2. The first partial appearance of something; a beginning to appear.
   the peep of day

Etymology 3

Uncertain; perhaps variant of pip.

noun

1. (obsolete) A spot on a die or domino.

Etymology 4

Back-formation from peeps, a shortened form of people.

noun

1. (Britain, slang) A person.