[ME. boben, bobben, found in the 13th c.; of uncertain origin; perhaps onomatopœic, expressing the effect of a smart, but not very weighty blow. In its frequent early application to the buffeting of Christ, there may have been association with BOB v.1 sense 2.
† 1. To strike with the fist, to pommel, buffet. Obs.
c. 1280. Fall & Pass., 59, in E. E. P. (1862), 14. He was ibobid an i-smitte . an hi spette in is face.
1432–50. trans. Higden, Rolls Ser. I. 241. [The slave in the triumphal car] scholde bobbe besily the victor.
1493. Festivall (W. de W., 1515), 172. Our moost benygne savyour … was bobbed, buffeted and spytte upon.
1531. Elyot, Gov., I. vii. (1557), 20. If anye man hapned … to shewe hymselfe to be wery, he was sodeynly bobbed on the face by the seruantes of Nero.
1578. Chr. Prayers, in Priv. Prayers (1851), 508. Thou wast … buffeted, blindfolded, bobbed with fists.
1605. Armin, Foole upon F. (1880), 23. The fellowe … got the fooles head vnder his arme, and bobd his nose.
† 2. To strike with any thing rounded or knobbed.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 7316. With the bit of his blade he bobbit hym so.
1589. Nashe, Martins Months M., 2. I haue … bobde them with their own bable. [Still in dialect use.]
3. To rap or tap with a slight (usually elastic) blow.
a. 1745. Swift, Wks. (1841), II. 361. When you carry a glass of liquor to any person … do not bob him on the shoulder.
Mod. (Parlour Game) ‘Brother, I am bobbed.’
4. To cause (anything) to rap or bounce against, at, etc. This sense blends gradually with BOB v.3
1612. Shelton, Quix., I. Pref. 13. There is nothing else to be done, but to bob into it some Latin Sentences.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1811), V. 377. An unfledged Kite … wanting to swallow a chicken, bobbed at its mouth by its marauding dam.
1840. W. Irving, Wolfert’s R. (1855), 185. Bobbing their cups together, as if they were hob-or-nobbing.
Mod. Wasps bobbing their heads against the window pane.
