Obs. [perh. f. BUM sb.1 (cf. BUMBASTE), though the sense ‘flog on the breech’ is not distinctly evidenced. Or it may belong to prec. word, cf. sense 2 b.]
trans. (or absol.) To strike, beat, thump.
1579. Studley, Seneca’s Hippolytus (1581), 64 b. To scratch and cuffe, to boxe and bum.
1598. Greene, Jas. IV. (1861), 203. Sirrah, hold your hand, lest I bum you.
1608. Middleton, Fam. Love, IV. iii. Sirrah, you would be bummed for your roguery.
1622. Dekker & Massinger, Virg. Mart., IV. ii. Bum my mistress!
