U.S. colloq. trans. To hoist; ‘to lift or push from behind (one endeavoring to climb); to push up. (Low)’ Webster. Also fig.
1833. [Seba Smith], Lett. J. Downing, xxxi. (1834), 125. You’ve done considerable to boost me up into an office.
1848–60. Bartlett, Dict. Amer., s.v., Boost me up this tree, and I’ll hook you some apples.
1856. N. York Herald, 8 Feb., 4/2 (Bartlett). It was the trade interests, in fact, that boosted him [Lord Palmerston] into power.
1884. Harper’s Mag., July, 324. It was not an easy task to boost a jurist of so much helpless avoirdupois in through the carriage door.
