Obs. [f. COWARD sb. (Fr. has from 11th c. an intrans. couarder to be a coward.)]
1. trans. To render cowardly or timorous; to make afraid, daunt, intimidate.
c. 1300. K. Alis., 3344. Thy tarying thy folk cowardith!
1563–87. Foxe, A. & M. (1684), I. 541/1. That which cowardeth a mans heart.
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., II. ii. 75. Why, what reade you there, That haue so cowarded and chac’d your blood Out of apparance.
1683. Chalkhill, Thealma & Cl., iii. 53. This cowarded the valour of the rest.
2. To call, or show to be, a coward.
1640. Glapthorne, Ladies Priviledge, IV. Disgrac’d My noble fathers memory, defam’d Nay cowarded my Ancestors.
1685. Baxter, Paraphr. N. T., Matt. xxvi. 69. A man that is forwardest in professing Courage … is in greater danger basely Cowarded by silly Wenches.
