Cowed

ppl. a. [f. COW v.¹ + ED.] Depressed or dispirited through fear; overawed.

1608.  Shaks., Per., IV. iii. 25. I do shame To think of what a noble train you are And of how cow’d a spirit.

a. 1745.  Swift, Helter Skelter (R.). Low in pocket, cow’d in courage, Safely glad to sup their porridge.

1856.  Olmsted, Slave States, 149. Not like whipped curs and cowed slaves, but as free men.

1887.  Jessopp, Arcady, viii. 230. A farm labourer is a heavy, sanctimonious, and thoroughly cowed creature.

  Cowed. knew; obs. var. of could; see CAN v.¹

c. 1500.  ‘Robin Hood & Potter,’ in Child, Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ball. (1888), III. V. cxxi. 111/2. The potter cowed of corteysey.