Obs. [perh. ad. F. fauiller to grub up; cf. F. fouilleuse (Boiste), fouilleur (Littré), a kind of light plough.]
trans. To subject (land) to the third of the series of ploughing; formerly prescribed for preparing it for sowing. Hence Foiling vbl. sb.
1616. Surfl. & Markh., Country Farme, 555. At August you shall giue it the third ardor or earing, which is called foyling, and that is to cast the land downe againe, as you did when you fallowed it, and this ardor is of all other one of the best, especially for the destroying of weeds and thistles.
1620. Markham, Farew. Husb., The Preface to the Reader. Sixe seuerall plowings, as fallowing in Ianuary and February, Stirring in Aprill and May, Foiling in Iuly and August, Winter-ridging in October and Nouember, and Sowing with other Ardours.
1669. Worlidge, Syst. Agric. (1681), 326. To Foyl, that is, to fallow Land in the Summer, or Autumn.
