Obs. [perh. aphetic f. ABECHE, a. OF. abechier, f. à to + bec BEAK sb.1; but cf. also OF. bechier, becher to peck, strike with the beak, also ‘to give a beakful.’] trans. To give a beakful to (a young bird); hence spec. in Falconry, to give part of a meal as a whet to appetite.
1575. Turberv., Falconrie, 103. Giue hir washte meate and beach [printed beade] hir in the morning.
