Past form of 'pluck,' to pull something out or off quickly with your fingers, like plucking a flower, plucking eyebrow hairs, or plucking feathers off a chicken before cooking it. It's also used for playing an instrument like a guitar by pulling the strings with your fingers instead of using a pick. And 'plucked up the courage' is a common phrase meaning someone finally found the bravery to do something they were scared of.