Obs. Also coyle. [First in 16th c.: origin unknown; connection with F. cul is perhaps possible: cf. COIL v.6] trans. To beat, thrash. Hence Coiled ppl. a.
1530. Palsgr., 498/2. I coyle ones kote, I beate hym, je bastonne.
1542. Udall, Erasm. Apoph., 7 b. Of a certaine man, somewhat sharpely beatyng a bonde seruaunt … Socrates asked … whether of bothe hath more neede of coiling, ye, or your seruaunt. Ibid. (1548), Erasm. Par. Luke xx. 159 a. When they had sore coyled him, and had reviled him.
1569. T. Preston, Cambises, Stage Direct. Here draw and fight. Here she must lay on and coyle them both. Ibid. Knave, slave and villain! a coild cote now and than.
c. 1590. Wife Lapped in Morelles Skin, 770, in Hazl., E. P. P., IV. 211. I shall her coyle both backe and bone.
