Obs. Also 7 beautifew, beutifew, -efeau, -w, boutfeu, boutefeau, -ieu, boutifieu, -ure, bowtifeu, 7–6 boutefew, 8 botefeu. [a. F. boutefeu a linstock, an incendiary, f. bouter to put + feu fire. Very common in the 17th c.]
An incendiary, a firebrand; one who kindles discontent and strife; also attrib.
a. 1598. Ld. Burleigh, Advice Q. Eliz., in Harl. Misc. (1809), II. 281. The Guisards happen to serve for boutefeus in Scotland.
1622. Bacon, Hen. VII., 63. A very Boutefeu.
1641. J. Jackson, True Evang. T., I. 35. Close enemies of the Empire, and secret beutefeaus of rebellion.
1642. Observ. his Majesty’s Answ. Declar. Parl., 12. Theeves and boutifures.
1656. Bramhall, Replic., iii. 138. Such Bigots and Bowtifeus.
1667. Decay Chr. Piety, xix. 364. Lusts … are confestly the boutefeaus among us.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., II. /529. He became … a great Boutifieu & firebrand in the Church.
a. 1734. North, Exam., I. iii. ¶ 106. 196. Factious Boutefews, Bawlers for Property & against Popery, etc.
1754. Richardson, Lett., in Mrs. Barbauld, Life (1804), III. 106. The sanguine expectations of their boutefeu editor.
