Obs. Also 6 friske, fryske, frixe. [a. OFr. frisque, of uncertain origin; by some viewed as ad. Teut. *frisk-, FRESH a.; by others as an altered form of frique: see FRIKE a.] Full of life and spirit; brisk, lively, frisky.
1528. Paynell, Salerne’s Regim., H b. Wyne muste be friske & sprynkelynge.
c. 1540. Boorde, The boke for to Lerne, B ij b. The Est wynde is temperat fryske and fragrant.
1580. Sidney, Arcadia, III. 401. Thou seest how friske and jolly now he is.
1597–8. Bp. Hall, Sat., VI. i. 294. Fayne would she seeme all frixe and frolicke still.
1611. Cotgr., s.v. Asne, Asses discharged of their burthens, vnsadled, and set at libertie, are the friskest creatures aliue.
b. Of a horse’s tail: Constantly in motion; jerky. Cf. FLISK, FLICKY, FLIGGY, FLETCH.
1694. Lond. Gaz., No. 3017/4. A brown bay Mare with a … frisk Tail. Ibid. (1705), No. 4148/4. A black Gelding … with a long frisk Tail.
