v. Obs. Forms: 4–7 endosse (pa. pple. 4 endost, 5 endoost, indoost, indost), 5 endos, 6 endoce, 9 (rare) endoss. [ME. endosse, a. OF. endosse-r corresp. to med.L. indorsāre ENDORSE, f. in upon + dorsum (Fr. dos) back].
1. trans. To write on the back of (a document); to inscribe (words) on (the back of) a document; = ENDORSE, v. 1.
1381. Pol. Poems (1859), I. 225. Charters were endost.
1460–70. Lydg., Ord. Fools, 8, in Q. Eliz. Academy, 79. Endosyd theyre patente that they shall neuer the.
1502. Arnolde, Chron. (1811), 119. Wee award yt ether of theym by his obligacion be bounde to other x. li. stg. wyth condycion, endoced.
1613. R. C., Table Alph. (ed. 3), Endosse, put on the back, or write on ye back.
2. In extended sense: To inscribe or portray (something) upon any surface. Obs.
1447. Bokenham, Seyntys, 145. Mynerve … Wyth al hir wyt ne coude provide More goodly aray Thow she dede endos Wyth ynne oo web al methamophosyos.
1595. Spenser, Col. Clout, 634. Her name in euery tree I will endosse. Ibid. (1596), F. Q., V. xi. 53. A shield in which he did endosse His deare Redeemers badge vpon the bosse.
3. a. To put (clothing) on one’s back. b. ? To clothe with armor.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., 166. Both ye and I Agains the fynde are welle endoost.
1805. W. Taylor, Monthly Mag., XIX. 574. He endosses the black robe.
4. To load the back; in quot. transf.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., 201. For his great boost With knoks he is indoost. Ibid., 254. With tormentes keyn bese he indost For ever more.
