To recognize that one has been shown to be mistaken or outdone, especially by admitting that one has made a humiliating error
In political libel, furthermore, a public recanting by the vilifier is more likely to be believed by the public, for it is well known that no politician likes to eat crow unless he has to.
[ 'Et ] (verb.) before 12th century. First appeared in the 1870s in America in the form eat boiled crow. Unknown origin - but probably because the meat of the crow is very unappetizing.