perk

perk · noun¹

Clipping of perquisite.

perk · verb, noun²

Clipping of percolate (verb) and percolator (noun).

perk · verb, adjective³

Origin uncertain. Perhaps a metathesis of prick.

perk · verb⁴

The origin is uncertain. Perhaps a variant of peer + -k (frequentative ending).

perk · verb⁵

1. Old Northern French · derived fromperquer
2. Middle English · inherited fromperken
3. English todayperk

From Middle English perken, from Old Northern French perquer.