c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 480/2. Strowynge, or dede of strowynge, sternicio.
1692. Bentley, Boyle Lect., v. 28. Whatsoever should result from the strowing of those loose Letters.
1865. G. Macdonald, A. Forbes, 15. The strewing of the caltrops on the field of Bannockburn.
b. concr. Something strewed; a layer or bed of strewed material; esp. pl. flowers, leaves, etc., scattered on a grave. Now rare or Obs.
c. 1000. Lamb. Psalter cxxxi. 3. Ʒif ic astiʓe on bedde abeninge minre vel strewunge [in lectum strati mei].
1388. Wyclif, Gen. xxxi. 34. Sche … hidde the idols vndur the strewyngis of the camel [Vulg. subter stramenta cameli].
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 480/2. Strowynge, or mater to strowe wythe, stramentum.
1578. H. Wotton, Courtlie Controv., 7. Throwing one at an another handfuls of roses,… wherof they made such lauishe expence, as the ground was almost couered with the strowing therof.
1611. Shaks., Cymb., IV. ii. 285. The hearbes that haue on them cold dew o’ th’ night Are strewings fit’st for graues.
1648. Herrick, Hesper., To Perilla, 15. Let some weekly-strewings be Devoted to the memory of me.
1660. Tales & Jests Mr. H. Peters, 12. The Parson seeing the Turf, was well pleased, supposing it was laid there onely as strowings to adorn his seat.
1726. Leoni, Alberti’s Archit., II. 114 b. Strew the bottom of your Cistern with good round Pebbles…: and the higher you make this strewing, your water will be the more limpid.
1728. E. Smith, Compl. Housew. (ed. 2), 173. Put a row of Flowers, and a strowing of Sugar, till the Pot is full.
1823. W. Taylor, in Monthly Mag., LVI. 125. Be content to let another inherit thy strewings of palm-leaves.
c. attrib., as strewing-herb.
1571. in Feuillerat, Revels Q. Eliz. (1908), 140. Bayes & strewing erbes.
1573–80. Tusser, Husb. (1878), 95. Strowing herbes of all sortes.
1593. Nashe, Christ’s T., 26. Happy is that Sister, that (for strewing-hearbes) may scatter her discheueld Mayden-hayre, on her dead Brothers trunck.
1877. Encycl. Brit., VI. 82. The coarsest variety [of ground smalts], known as strewing blue.
