Cook  —v. 1 prepare (food) by heating it. 2 (of food) undergo cooking. 3 colloq. Falsify (accounts etc.). 4 (as be cooking) colloq. Be happening or about to happen. —n. Person who cooks, esp. Professionally or in a specified way (a good cook).  cook up colloq. Concoct (a story, excuse, etc.). [latin coquus]