v. Obs. For forms see STEAL. [OE. bestelan, f. BE- + stelan to STEAL. Parallel compounds in the other mod.Teut. langs. are Du. bestelen, Ger. bestehlen, Da. bestiæle, Sw. bestjäla, all meaning ‘to steal, rob.’] intr. (and refl.) To steal or move stealthily (away or on).
a. 725. Laws of Ina, 39 (Bosw.). Gif hwa on oðre scire hine bestele.
c. 893. K. Ælfred, Oros., I. x. § 4. And þa nihtes on unʓearwe hi on bestæl.
c. 1175. Moral Ode, 15, in Lamb. Hom., 161. Elde me is bistolen on . er ich hit wiste.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 3876. On of hem … ys by-stole awaye.
1597. Dowland, Lyrics, in Arb., Garner, IV. 47. Worn soul! That living dies, till thou on me bestoule!
