1. trans. To shelter, enclose, seclude as in a bower; also absol.
1580. Sidney, in Farr, S. P. Eliz. (1845), I. 78. Him … Whom Sion holds embowered.
c. 1630. Drumm. of Hawth., Poems, Wks. (1711), 44/1. Ah Destinies, and you whom Skies embow’r.
1667. Milton, P. L., I. 304. Vallombrosa, where th’ Etrurian shades High overarch’t imbouer.
1738. Wesley, Ps. cxlvii. Ye, whom highest Heaven imbow’rs, Praise the Lord.
1833. Tennyson, Lady Shalott, I. ii. And the silent isle imbowers The Lady of Shalott.
1873. Symonds, Grk. Poets, x. 333. These elms and poplar-trees and vines embower them with the pleasant verdure of rustling leaves.
† 2. intr. for refl. To take shelter, lodge as in a bower. ? Obs.
1591. Spenser, Virg. Gnat, 225. Small Birds in their wide boughs embowring.
1610. G. Fletcher, Christ’s Vict., xxvii. Gaze but upon the house whear man embow’rs.
