Obs. exc. ? dial. [Origin unknown: cf. BASTE v.3, also Sw. dial. bysta (Rietz), OF. boster (rare, ? var. of bouter) to knock at a door, MDu. buust cudgel, f. buusschen to beat.] trans. To beat, thrash.
a. 1225. Juliana, 24. Speche þu maht spillen ant ne speden nawiht þah þu me buste and beate.
c. 1230. Hali Meid., 31. Beateð þe & busteð þe as his ibohte þrel.
c. 1400. Alexius (Laud MS. 463), 331. Ofte þei him bete and buste [rhyme-wd. niste].
[1808–25. Jamieson, To bust, to beat, Aberd.]
