Also 7 enbroile, embroyle, 6–7 imbroyle, 6–8 imbroil. [ad. F. embrouiller = Sp. embrollar, It. imbrogliare; cf. EN- and BROIL sb. and v.]
1. trans. To bring (affairs, etc.) into a state of confusion or disorder; to confuse, render unintelligible (a story).
1603. Daniel, Defence of Rhime (1717), 12. These pretended Proportions of Words … embroil our Understanding. Ibid. (1609), Civ. Wares, V. st. 47. One mans Cause shall all the rest imbroyle.
1656. Cowley, Pindarique Odes (1669), 16, note 2. The mention of his Brother Iphiclus … would but embroil the story.
1678. Dryden, All for Love, Dedic. Your Enemies had so embroyl’d the management of your Office, that [etc.].
1704. Addison, Italy (1733), 176. The former … are so embroil’d with Fable and Legend.
1823. Scott, Peveril, xxxviii. Having embroiled everything in which you are concerned.
2. To throw into uproar or tumult.
1618. Bolton, Florus, I. xxiv. (1636), 67. The tyranny of the Decemvirs embroyled the City the second time.
1667. Milton, P. L., II. 966. Tumult and Confusion all imbroild.
1704. Hearne, Duct. Hist. (1714), I. 56. The many Wars wherewith his [David’s] Reign was embroiled.
1725. Pope, Odyss., XII. 242. Tumultuous waves embroil’d the bellowing flood.
1726. Thomson, Winter, 1019. More to embroil the deep.
3. To involve or entangle in dissension or hostility with (any one); to bring into a state of discord or disunion.
1610. G. Fletcher, Christ’s Vict. (1632), 17. Or had his body been imbroyl’d alone In fierce assault.
1631. Gouge, God’s Arrows, iii. § 89. 350. They … with delight enbroile themselves therein [warre].
1653. Holcroft, Procopius, 7. The Emperour … intending to imbroyle Theodatus and the Goths.
1654. Gayton, Pleas. Notes, 188. Warres have been wag’d, and Nations embroyl’d in blood one against another.
1680. in Somers, Tracts, II. 84. [They] embroiled him with the House of Commons.
1741. Richardson, Pamela, I. 175. What, and imbroil myself with a Man of Mr. B’s Power and Fortune!
1756. J. Warton, Ess. Pope (1782), I. 312. To be embroiled in controversy.
1865. Dickens, Lett. (1880), II. 240. If the Americans don’t embroil us in a war before long it will not be their fault.
