An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. To give birth to a calf.
   

   2. Of a → glacier, to break off
      so as to give birth to an → iceberg. → glacier calving.

Etymology (EN): M.E. calven, O.E. (Anglian) *calfian, from → calf.

Etymology (PE): Gugidan, infinitive from gug “cow, bull,” → cow.