v. Now dial. Also 7 tauve, 8–9 taave, 9 teave. [app. of Norse origin: cf. Norw. dial. tava to toil or struggle without much effect, to fumble, be exhausted.] intr. To move the limbs ineffectually, to sprawl; to strike out at random with the arms or legs; to throw oneself about, as a person in a passion, in a fever, etc.; to act violently in any way; to strive, toil, labor, or struggle in work, difficult walking, etc.
c. 1350. St. Mary Magd., 401, in Horstm., Altengl. Leg. (1881), 85. Sethin it [the child] swelid and turned & tauyd.
14[?]. Beryn, 2061. Sith yee of hym be sesid, howe evir so yee [? hee] taue, Let hym nevir pas.
1566. Drant, Horace, A iv. Where now and then (O just rewarde) in raginge surge sum taves.
1674. Ray, N. C. Words, 47. To Tave; Lincoln. to rage. Ibid. (1691), 73. Sick People are said to tave with the Hands when they catch at any thing.
1681. Hickeringill, Black Non-Conf., Postscr., Wks. 1716, II. 168. Him that bespoke a Picture of a Horse lying (tauveing) upon his Back.
1790. Mrs. Wheeler, Westmld. Dial. (1821), 40. I wur sae teerd wie maanderin up an dawn an teaavin ith ling, I laaid me dawn on a breaad Scar, an sean fel asleep.
1825. Brockett, N. C. Words, Taving, irregular motion; picking the bed-clothes in febrile delirium.
1828. Craven Gloss., Tave, to kick with the feet like a distracted person.
1855. Robinson, Whitby Gloss., To Teeave, to paw and sprawl with the arms and legs.
1891. T. Hardy, Tess, xii. See how I’ve got to teave and slave, and your poor weak father with his heart clogged like a dripping-pan.
