Obs. exc. dial. See also FUST v. [f. FOIST sb.2] intr. To smell or grow musty.
1583. Golding, Calvin on Deut. cxix. 735. And what becomes of the Corne in the meanewhyle? It foysteth and rotteth.
1641. H. Best, Rural Economy in Yorkshire in 1641 (Surtees), 1034. New-threshed corne is allwayes the sweetest, for it will foyst with lyinge long in the garner, and soe will meale with lyinge longe unused in the howse.
1869. Peacock, Lonsdale Gloss., Foist, to smell musty.
Hence Foisted ppl. a., musty.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. 317/1. Musty, Fusty, Foisted, Puft Corn.
1720. Strype, Stows Surv. (1754), II. V. xi. 289/2. They brewed foisted Beer and corrupt Beer again.
1876. Whitby Gloss., Foisted musty, as a mouldy cask.