v. Obs. Also 4–6 fysk(e, 6–8 fiske. [Possibly a frequentative (formed with k suffix as in walk, talk, lurk) of OE. fýsan to hurry, or of fésian, fýsian FEEZE v. Cf. the synonymous Sw. fjäska, a frequentative of fjäsa to bustle, make a fuss.] intr. To move briskly, scamper about, frisk, whisk; also with about, abroad, in and out, to and fro.
c. 1340. Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight, 1704. & he fyskeȝ hem by-fore, þay founden hym sone.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. X. 153. What frek of þys folde · fiskeþ þus a-boute.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 162/2. Fiskin a-bowte yn ydilnesse, vagor.
1549. Latimer, 4th Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 104. Than he is busi, then he rores then he fyskes a brode.
1575. J. Still, Gamm. Gurton, I. ii., in Dodsl., O. Pl., II. 10.
| Tome Tannkard’s cow (be gog’s bones) she set me up her sail, | |
| And flynging about his halse aker, fysking with her taile. |
c. 1620. Z. Boyd, Zion’s Flowers (1855), 114.
| Why feare yee so, thus fisking in and out, | |
| Like those who of the LORD’s protection doubt? |
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Gadding-Gossips, way-going Women, Fidging and Fisking everywhere.
1721–1800. in Bailey.
quasi-trans.
1556. J. Heywood, Spider & F., lvii. 242.
| If he scaped this: at all times to be ware, | |
| With faint fond flies, to fiske agayne a warfare. |
Hence fisking vbl. sb. and ppl. a. Also Fisker, one who frisks or scampers about.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 162/2. Fyscare a-bowte ydylly, discursor, discursatrix, vagulus vel vagator.
1523. Fitzherbert, The Boke of Husbandry, § 45. If a shepe haue mathes, ye shall perceyue it by her bytynge, or fyskynge, or shakyng of her tayle.
1592. G. Harvey, Pierce’s Super., 175. (Not such another mutterer or murmurer, even against his familiarest acquaintance) an ever-grudging and repining-mind, a ravenous throte, a gluttonous mawe, a dronken head, a blasphemous tongue, a fisking witt, a shittle nature, a revolting and runnegate disposition.
1601. Deacon & Walker, Answ. to Darel, 190. Being growne very wearie with your violent fiskings and figgings about those your idle vagaries.
1611. Cotgr., s.v. Trotiere, A fisking huswife, a raunging damsell.
c. 1620. Z. Boyd, Zion’s Flowers (1855), 91.
| Thoughts as fell Hornets from their drowsie nest, | |
| Come buzzing so within my troubled breast, | |
| With fisking traine, that I must by and by, | |
| Stitch’t full of stings with paine lye downe and dye. |
1671. Rules of Civility, 30. It is not to be done bluntly with a No, Sir, that is not so, but by circumlocution, as Pardon me, Sir, I beg your pardon, Madam, if I presume to say, fisking and pratling are but ill ways to please.
