n.
1.
a. The common domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) or its young.
b. Any of various similar or related birds.
c. The flesh of the common domestic fowl.
2. Slang A coward.
3. Any of various foolhardy competitions in which the participants persist in a dangerous course of action until one loses nerve and stops.
4. Vulgar Slang A young gay male, especially as sought by an older man.
adj.
Slang Afraid; cowardly.
intr.v. chick·ened, chick·en·ing, chick·ens
Slang
To act in a cowardly manner; lose one's nerve: chickened out at the last moment.