In 7 -shoot, -shut. [SHOT sb.1 With sense 1 cf. WFris. stjerreskot, MDu. sterrenschot (Kilian), Du. sterreschot, Sw. stjärnskott, Da. stjerneskud. Gawin Douglas (1513) has ‘sterne schot’ = shooting star: see STERN sb.2]
1. A popular name for nostoc, which is supposed to fall from the stars, or to be the remains of a shooting star. ? Obs. (For other names see STAR sb.1 22 b.)
1653. Goughe’s Queen, I. B 3 b. Why, look, look ye, we are all made, or let me be stew’d in Star-shut.
1661. Boyle, Cert. Physiol. Ess. (1669), 175. That jelly that is sometimes found on the ground, and by the Vulgar call’d a Star-shoot, as if it remain’d upon the extinction of a falling Star.
1701–2. Star Shot Gelly [see NOSTOC].
1768. Pennant, Brit. Zool., II. 424.
1804. Bewick, Brit. Birds, II. 211.
1866. Brogden, Prov. Lincs.
† 2. A kind of chain-shot. Obs.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789), Mm 2 [described].
