Obs. Also 6–8 -bait, 7 -beat(e. [Back-formation from SURBATED. Cf. next.]
1. trans. To bruise or make sore (the hoofs or feet) with excessive walking; to make (an animal or person) foot-sore.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., III. iv. 34. Least they … should … surbate sore Their tender feet vpon the stony ground.
1607. Markham, Caval., III. (1617), 7. His own waight beating vpon the hard earth, would both surbate and bring him to an incurable lamenesse.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. xx. § 47. The Rebels … whom King Henry … suffered … to … surbate themselves with a long march.
1660. Blount, Boscobel, 29. Which contributed much towards the surbating and galling His Majesties Feet.
1707. Mortimer, Husb. (1721), I. 232. Chalky Land surbates … Oxens Feet more than any other Soil.
absol. 1615. Jackson, Creed, IV. II. i. § 4. Softest waies in moist winters surbeate the sorest in dry Summers.
2. intr. for pass. To become foot-sore.
1590. Cockaine, Treat. Hunting, C 4. Who so hunteth vnbreathed hounds at the Bucke first in hot weather, causeth them to imbost and surbate greatly.
1610. Markham, Masterp., II. xci. 378. If your horse surbate in your trauell. Ibid. (1614), Cheap Husb., II. i. (1668), 70. Horned Cattel in Lincolnshire are … strong hoved, not apt to surbait.
1725. Fam. Dict., s.v. Hoof, That Horse … will not carry a Shoe long, nor travel far, but soon surbate.
