[f. FUNK sb.3 + -Y1.] In a state of funk, frightened, nervous, timid.
1837. Dickens, Pickw. [The nervous junior counsel in Bardell v. Pickwick is named Mr. Phunky.]
1845. S. Naylor, Reynard, 46. I do feel somewhat funky.
1871. G. Meredith, H. Richmond, lii. (1889), 501. If he did not give up to you like a funky traveller to a highwayman.
Hence Funkiness.
1896. Punch, 22 Aug., 88/2. I subdued my native funkiness so far as to make the revolution of the great wheel.