v. Obs. Forms: 4–5 atast(e, 5–6 attast(e. [a. OF. ataste-r, cogn. w. It. attastare:—Romanic *attaxitā-re, f. at- = ad- to + *taxitāre: see TASTE.] To taste, experience: a. trans.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., II. i. 30. Þat þou drynke and atast[e] some softe and delitable þinges.
a. 1400. Cov. Myst., 31. Out of this blysse sone xal ȝe go … And sorwe ȝe xal atast.
1559. Myrr. for Mag. (James I.), xviii. Attaste no poyson.
b. absol. or intr.
c. 1400. Beryn, 458. This is his owne staff, þou seyist; þerof he shal a-tast.
c. 1460. J. Russell, Bk. Nurture, 648, in Babees Bk., 161. Shrympes well pyked … þat youre lord may attast.
