† Boun

v. Obs. or arch. Forms: 3 bune(n, 4–9 boun(e, bown(e, bowen, 5 Sc. bowyn, 9 boon. [f. boun, older form of BOUND ppl. a.¹ The word appears to have become obsolete in literary use c. 1600; revived by Sir W. Scott.]

  † 1.  trans. To prepare, make ready. Obs.

a. 1375.  Joseph Arim., 414. Þe kyng boskes lettres anon, to bounen his bernes. Ibid., 472. To boune mo bernes.

1515.  Scottish Field, 213, in Chetham Misc. (1856), II. Then the bishop full boldlie bowneth furth his standart.

  b.  refl. To prepare oneself, get ready (often in connection with busk); to betake oneself, have recourse to (anything).

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 11920. Ioseph … buned him to wend againe.

c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 827. I wold boune me to batell, and take my bare aunter.

1515.  Scottish Field, 83, in Chetham Misc. (1856), II. He did buske and bowne him, to go on his message.

a. 1575.  Pilkington, Exp. Nehemiah (1841), 353. They buskle and bowne themselves to this work.

1600.  Fairfax, Tasso, III. xxx. 45. The villaine, who to flight him bound.

1808.  Scott, Marm., IV. xxii. Each ordering that his band Should bowne them with the rising day.

1847.  Barham, Ingol. Leg. (1877), 243. St. Medard hath boon’d himself for the task.

1866.  J. Rose, Virgil, 99. Soon must we boun’ us for a loftier song.

  2.  intr. (for refl.) To get ready, prepare; to dress.

c. 1375.  Barbour, Troy-bk., II. 2852. Than thocht hime at þat ymage gay Bouned to pass frome hime away.

1513.  Douglas, Æneis, VII. Prol. 97. I crocit me, syne bownit for to sleip. Ibid., XIII. Prol. 46. Euery thing … Bownis to tak the hailsum nychtis rest Eftir the days laubour.

1674.  Ray, N. C. Wds., 7. To Boun and unboun, to dress and undress.

1815.  Hogg, Pilgr. Sun, I. xvi. For then the fairies boun’ to ride And elves of Ettrick’s greenwood shaw.

  3.  intr. To betake oneself to (a place), set out, go.

c. 1325.  E. E. Allit. P., B. 1398. Barounes at þe sidebordes bounet ay where.

c. 1375.  Barbour, Troy-bk., II. 2712. Pirrus bowned to Delphos yle.

a. 1455.  Holland, Houlat, xviii. But bownis out of Babilon with all obedience.

a. 1540.  Peebles to Play, i. 5. At Beltan, when ilk bodie bounes To Peebles to the play.

1552.  Lyndesay, Monarche, 6312. The blysfull byrdis bownis to the treis.

1805.  Scott, Last Minstrel, V. xxx. Till Lord Dacre’s band Were bowning back to Cumberland.