Welk (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p.Welked (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Welking.] [OE. welken; cf. D. & G. welken to wither, G. welk withered, OHG. welc moist. See Welkin, and cf. Wilt.] To wither; to fade; also, to decay; to decline; to wane.
When ruddy Ph�bus 'gins to welk in west. Spenser.
The church, that before by insensible degrees welked and impaired, now with large steps went down hill decaying. Milton.