v. Obs. Forms: 3 filstnen, 4 fulsun, fylsen, 5 felsen, -yn, filsom, fylsy(n. [ME. fils(t)ne-n, f. FILST sb.; cf. -EN6.] trans. To minister to, aid, support; to further, promote.
c. 1200. Ormin, 6170.
| Himm birrþ þe fillstnenn wiþþ þin fe | |
| To lesenn himm off bandess. |
c. 1220. Bestiary, 44.
| His fader him filstnede swo | |
| ðat he ros fro dede ðo. |
c. 1325. E. E. Allit. P., B. 1643.
| Hit is surely soth, þe souerayn of heuen | |
| Fylsened euer þy fader & vpon folde cheryched. |
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 4871. Yche freike is þere frynd to filsom þere spede.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 4669. For ȝe bot fage ay þe flesche · & felsen it wele.
