Definition of the word pick at

The origin of the phrase "pick at" can be traced back to the Old English verb "picgan," which means "to pluck or peck at." This verb derived from the Old English word "picga," which refers to the beak of a bird. It's believed that this word was used to describe the act of pecking at dishes, as if the person was plucking or pecking at small portions of food, just like a bird picks at its food with its beak. Over time, the meaning of the verb evolved to include the modern usage of "pick at," which means to nibble or take small bites of food in a negligible or hesitant manner. Today, the phrase "pick at" is commonly used in English to describe someone's scattered or hesitant eating habits.