What does "perk" mean?

Perk: To make trim or smart; to straighten up; to erect; to make a jaunty or saucy display of; as, to perk the ears; to perk up one's head. Cowper. Sherburne.

Additional senses

  1. 2.To exalt one's self; to bear one's self loftily. "To perk over them." Barrow. To perk it, to carry one's self proudly or saucily. Pope.
  2. 3.Smart; trim; spruce; jaunty; vain. "Perk as a peacock." Spenser.
  3. 4.To peer; to look inquisitively. Dickens.

Sources