dunk
UK[dʌŋk]US[dʌŋk]
v
To dip a piece of food into a liquid, such as coffee or sauce, before eating it.
v
To push someone or something under the surface of a liquid for a short time.
v
(in basketball) To jump up and force the ball down through the net with one or both hands.
Etymology
The verb 'dunk' entered American English in the early 20th century from Pennsylvania German 'dunke', meaning 'to dip'. This, in turn, derives from the Middle High German 'dunken', a variant of 'tunken' with the same meaning. The ultimate origin is the Old High German 'thunkōn', related to the idea of immersing or making something wet. The word's journey from a German dialect to mainstream English was solidified by its specific application to the act of dipping food, and later, its dramatic adoption into basketball terminology to describe a powerful, downward shot.
Analysis
The word 'dunk' is a simplex word of Pennsylvania German origin, borrowed into English. It is not productively composed of smaller, meaningful morphemes within modern English spelling.
Examples
She likes to dunk her biscuit in her tea.
The children laughed as they tried to dunk each other in the swimming pool.
The player drove to the basket and finished with a spectacular dunk.