v. [UN-2 5.] trans. To dislodge (a deer) from covert or shelter.
1576. Turberv., Venerie, 100. An Hart and a Bucke [are] likewise reared, rowsed, and vnharbored.
1582. Stanyhurst, IV. (Arb.), 100. The heard deare dooth stray from mounten vnharbourd.
1686. R. Blome, Gentl. Recreat., II. 83/1. Your Hounds should not all be uncoupled until the Hart is unharboured by the Harbourer.
1721. Phil. Trans., XXXI. 167. After you unharbour a Moose, he will run a Course of 20, or 30 miles, before he … comes to a Bay.
1797. Sporting Mag., IX. 264. Mr. Sturt’s stag hounds unharboured a hind at Maggot-Hill Wood.
1823. Scott, Quentin D., ix. To the devil with the discourse, for the boar is unharboured.
1856. ‘Stonehenge,’ Brit. Rural Sports, 109. The regular pack being held at hand…, ready to be laid on when the hart or hind is ‘unharboured.’
b. transf. and fig.
1593. Sidney’s Arcadia, III. (1922), II. 29. Your compassion makes me open my hart to you, and leave unharboured mine owne thoughts.
1647. N. Ward, Simple Cobler, 44. I am sure … it was never storyed that Salus Populi began with Majestas Imperii, unlesse Majestas Imperii first unharbour’d it, and hunted it to a stand.
1768. Foote, Devil, I. Advance! now let us unharbour the rascal!
1771. R. Cumberland, West Indian, II. vi. I’ll unlodge him, I’ll unharbour him, I warrant.
1824. Scott, St. Ronan’s, iv. Clara … is a little wilful; and I believe your ladyship must take the task of unharbouring her into your own hands.
Hence Unharbouring vbl. sb.
1591. R. Turnbull, Exp. St. James, 102. These … house themselues by the vnharbouring … of the poore.
1686. R. Blome, Gentl. Recreat., II. 83/1. The Chase of the Hart or Stag: and first the Vnharbouring him.
1897. D. H. Madden, Diary W. Silence, 30. The rest of the company made ready to assist at the unharbouring of the hart.
