v. Obs. Also 6 buskel, buskill, 7 buskell. [app. a frequentative of BUSK v.1; the senses correspond closely to senses of busk, and both verbs are in the early examples often accompanied by the ppl. adj. boun. See BUSTLE v.]
1. trans. To ‘busk,’ prepare, equip, attire. (Chiefly refl.)
a. 1555. Bradford, Wks., 445. Buskel thyself, and make thee bowne to turn to the Lord.
1585. Pilkington, Exp. Nehem., Wks. (1848), 352. They buskle and bowne themselves to this work.
1594. Carew, Tasso (1881), 117. Buskled in armes … them readie make The ten knights.
2. intr. To prepare oneself; hence, to set out, start on a journey, address oneself to a task; to set to work (esp. hastily or promptly).
a. 1535. More, Wks. (1557), 81. In what place … ye stand whan ye buskle forward.
1583. Stanyhurst, Æneid, III. (Arb.), 81. King Helenus … From towne to us buskling.
1594. Carew, Tasso (1881), 53. The Campe to armes which buskelled.
1602. Warner, Alb. Eng., XII. lxxvii. 313. Then buskling to his Sword cride Theeues.
3. intr. To hurry about; to be in agitation or commotion, to bustle.
1545. Joye, Exp. Dan., ii. (R.). Now began the bisshopes to busskle and bere rule.
1561. Awdelay, Frat. Vacab., 15. This slouthfull knave wyll buskill and scratch when he is called in the morning.
1586. W. Warner, Alb. Eng., I. vi. 22. In buskling vp and downe In Plutoes Pallace, to her ioy, Proserpine he found.
1642. Rogers, Naaman, 174. He buskells and takes on like a mad man.
4. trans. To agitate, shake, toss; L. jactare. (Cf. BRUSTLE v.2 2, and BUSTLE v. 5.)
1581. Studley, Seneca’s Hercules Œtæus, 189. He buskling vp his burning Mane, doth dry the dropping south.
