dial. [Eng. Dial. Dict. suggests deriv. from OE. trifulian, tribulian, ʓetrifulian, ad. L. trībulāre to thresh, bruise, pound, grind, f. trībulum threshing-sledge; this seems probable, though no examples are known between the 11th and 17th c., and the sense is not exactly identical.] trans. To beat or trample down (standing corn or grass).
[c. 1000. Ælfric, Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 114/26. Pilurus, uel pistor, se þe pilaþ, uel tribulaþ.]
c. 1000. Sax. Leechd., II. 150/3. Eft withier rinde ʓebærn to ahsan do eced to trifula swiðe. Ibid., 186/10. Menge eall togædere & trifoliʓe.
c. 1050. Gloss., in Wr.-Wülcker, 423/25. In tritura, in trifelunge.
1641. Best, Farm. Bks. (Surtees), 54. A mower … may mowe (with as much ease) amongst ranke barley as other, if it stande streight, and bee not trifled, neyther with the winde, nor with cattle-feete.
1846. Brockett, N. C. Words (ed. 3), Trifled-corn, corn that has fallen down, in single ears, mixed with standing corn.
1893–4. Northumbld. Gloss., Trifled, beaten down with wind or rain; applied to grass or grain.
