Obs. rare. [repr. OE. *cęncean:—*kankjan, from the root kank-, found in OE. ʓecanc mock, gibe, cancęttan to laugh noisily, cackle, CANK, Icel. kank gibing, kankast to jeer; the ablaut-grade *kink- is the base of CHINK v.1 and KINK v.1] intr. To laugh loudly.
a. 1225. Leg. Kath., 2042. Þer me mahte iheren … þe cristene kenchen and herien þen healent.
c. 1230. Hali Meid., 17. Hu … te deoueles hoppen & kenchinde beaten hondes to-gederes.
