v. Obs. Forms: 5 confisque, 5–6 confysk(e, 6–7 confisk. [a. OF. confisque-r (= Pr. and Sp. confiscar, It. confiscare):—L. confiscāre to put away in a chest, consign to the public treasury, f. con- together + fisc-us basket, chest, treasury.] trans. To confiscate.
1474. Caxton, Chesse, III. vi. Al the goodes that longed to the pylgrym were delyverd to the hoste as confisqued. Ibid. (1485), Chas. Gt., 24. Theyr goodes [shal] be confysked.
1579. Fenton, Guicciard., I. (1599), 14. Ferdinand hauing … sacked and confisked … many of the Barons.
1624. T. Scott, Vox Cœli, 35. The Duke of Alua … embarg’d and confisk’d a world of Goods and Ships.
Hence Confisking vbl. sb.
1583. T. Stocker, Trag. Hist. Ciuile Warres Lowe Courtries, I. 73 b. In … hanging, burning, confisking of goods, [etc.].
