[Com. Teut.: OE. boda = OFris. boda, OS. bodo (MDu. and Du. bode), OHG. boto (MHG. and mod.G. bote), ON. boði:—OTeut. *bodon-, f. bod- stem of beud-an: see next.]
One who makes an announcement; a herald, a messenger. Obs. from 12th c., but recently affected by some writers on OE. history.
c. 888. K. Ælfred, Boeth., XXXVI. i. Þu þe eart boda and forrynel ðæs soþan leohter.
c. 1175. Cott. Hom., 219. Angeli (boden), archangeli (hahboden).
1613. R. C., Table Alph. (ed. 3), Bode, a messenger.
1848. Lytton, Harold, III. i. 49. Fast … went the bodes and riders of the Earl.
1872. E. Robertson, Hist. Ess., 114. The Beadle … the Bode or messenger of the Court.
1880. Blackw. Mag., March, 344. Their bodes brought the news of the landing at Pevensey.
