from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Cocker \Cock"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Cockered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Cockering}.] [OE. cokeren; cf. W. cocru to indulge,
fondle, E. cock the bird, F. coqueliner to dandle (Cotgrave),
to imitate the crow of a cock, to run after the girls, and E.
cockle, v.]
To treat with too great tenderness; to fondle; to indulge; to
pamper.
[1913 Webster]
Cocker thy child and he shall make thee afraid.
--Ecclesiasticus
xxx. 9.
[1913 Webster]
Poor folks cannot afford to cocker themselves up. --J.
Ingelow.
[1913 Webster]