The word is obscure, and its association, both etymologically and semantically, with the pullus word-group remains questionable.
s.
1orn.zool.small chick, newly-born young of a chicken (?):
(
MS: s.xv
)
Oignement verte [...]. Pernez le jus de parresin macidonie, e gruel d’avoyne [...]. E pernez poulinee de quot (l. quoc?) e de geline e mettez ovec
94.S77
poulinee (s.xv)