[f. prec. vb. The 12th c. icheu may go back to an OE. *ʓeceow.]
1. The action of the verb CHEW.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 35. Ofte mid wurmene icheu. Ibid., 123. Hwile wurmene cheu and fele oðre þe ich telle ne mai.
1878. L. P. Meredith, Teeth, 217. After every smoke or chew, brush the teeth thoroughly.
† 2. ? ‘Jawing,’ reproach. Obs.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 13. Chest and chew and twifold speche and ilch fliting of worde.
3. That which is chewed or for chewing; spec. a quid (of tobacco).
1725. Lond. Gaz., No. 6387/2. Commonly has a Chew of Tobacco in his under Lip.
1748. Smollett, Rod. Rand., xxxii. One of the sailors … put a large chew of tobacco in his mouth.
1887. M. Roberts, Western Avernus, xx. The floors … covered with saliva, old chews, and tobacco ash.
