v. Obs. [UNDER-1 4 a, after L. suffodīre. Cf. Du. onderdelven.] trans. To dig under; to undermine by digging.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Saints’ Lives, xxxii. 204. Sum eac underdealf þa duru mid spade.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Luke xii. 39. He wacode, and ne ʓeþafode þæt man his hus underdulfe.
1382. Wyclif, Gen. xlix. 6. In her owne wil thei vndurdelueden the wal.
a. 1400. Pauline Ep. (Powell), Rom. xi. 3. Lord þey haue slayn þi prophetis; þey haue vndyrdolue þyn auteris.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 511/1. Vnder delvyn, suffodio.
Hence † Underdelving vbl. sb., Underdolven ppl. a. Obs.
1382. Wyclif, Ps. lxxix. 17. The tend vp thingis with fyr, and the vnder doluen.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 511/1. Vnder deluynge,… subfossura, subfossio.
