## Etymology
In the 'gesture' sense, a shortening of Middle English beken, from beckon (Old English bēacnian). In the 'stream' sense, a Northern dialect word from Old Norse bekkr ('brook'), cognate with German Bach.

## AI Etymology
Beck is a noun meaning "a gesture of command or summons; a small stream (dialectal)". Historically, it is in the 'gesture' sense, a shortening of Middle English beken, from beckon (Old English bēacnian). In the 'stream' sense, a Northern dialect word from Old Norse bekkr ('brook'), cognate with German Bach. The visible construction is part of the etymology: beck is not just an unanalyzed simple word. The semantic history matters here: the earlier use is the starting point, and the modern sense, "a gesture of command or summons; a small stream (dialectal)", is the later or specialized English value. The historical chain links Old English bēacnian with Old Norse bekkr. Close English family members include beckon, and beck and call.

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