vbl. sb. [f. BEAR sb.1] The sport of setting dogs to attack a bear chained to a stake; also fig.
c. 1475[?]. Hunt. Hare, 232. Sum seyd it was a beyr-beytyng.
1586. J. Hooker, Girald. Irel., in Holinsh., II. 120/2. It was more like a bearebaiting of disordered persons, than a parlement of wise men.
1601. Shaks., Twel. N., II. v. 9. He haunts Wakes, Faires, and Beare-baitings.
1663. Butler, Hud., I. i. 678. An old way of Recreating, which learned Butchers call Bear-Baiting.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 161. The Puritan hated bearbaiting, not because it gave pain to the bear, but because it gave pleasure to the spectators.
