Falconry. Also 5 bewette. [Appar. a. OF. *beuette, an unrecorded dim. of beue, bue, orig. buie, boie collar, bond, chain, fetter:—L. boia, in pl. boiæ collar for the neck (of leather, wood or iron); but perh. the dim. is of Eng. formation.] A ring or slip of leather for attaching the bell to a hawk’s leg.
1486. Bk. St. Albans, B vj a. Thessame letheris that be putt in hir bellis: to be fastyned a boute hir leggys ye shall calle Bewettis.
1575. Turberv., Falconrie. With belles and Bewets, Vernels eke, to make the falcon fine.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Bewits, in Falconry, denote pieces of leather, to which a hawk’s bells are fastened, and buttoned to his legs.
1875. ‘Stonehenge,’ Brit. Sports, I. IV. i. § 3. A running noose in which the leg of the hawk together with the ‘bewit’ of the bell is inserted.
