v. Obs. or dial. [perh. f. BREVET sb., with the sense of ‘take by brevet’ or ‘warrant.’]
intr. To forage; to ‘beat about’ for game; see also dial. quots. Hence Breviting vbl. sb.
1600. Holland, Livy, XXII. xl. 457. Victuals, which from day to day he brevited for [ex rapto], to serve his present neede. Ibid., XXIX. xxxii. 734. Masanissa … lived for some days by the breviting and robberie of the other two horsemen.
1604. Drayton, Owl. Breviting by night, Under pretence that she was ill of sight.
1842. Akerman, Wiltsh. Gloss. (E. D. S., 1879), Brevet about, to beat about, as a dog for game.
1879. Miss Jackson, Shropsh. Gl., Brevit, to search, pry, examine inquisitively ‘Who’s bin brevitin’ i’ my drawer?’
1881. Evans, Leicester. Gl. (E. D. S.), Brevet, to rummage, ransack, search…. Cats are said to brevet after mice, dogs after rats or rabbits, etc.
