Obs. [f. FRANK sb.2]

1

  1.  trans. To shut up and feed (up) in a frank.

2

c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 177/1. Frankyd, saginatus.

3

1553.  Eden, Treat. Newe Ind. (Arb.), 29. When soeuer they [Canibales] take any of them vnder the age of. xiiij. yeares, the vse to gelde them, and francke them vntyll they be very fat, as we are wont to doe with capons or hennes.

4

1556.  Withals, Dict. (1568) 38 a/2. Altilia, all things franked to be made fatte.

5

1600.  Holland, Livy, VI. xvii. (1609), 228. The Commons doe feed and franke up, even for the shambles and butchers knife the fautors and maintainers of their weale and libertie.

6

  2.  To feed high; to cram. Also with up.

7

1583.  Stanyhurst, Æneis, I. (Arb.), 24. Theyre panch with venison they franck and quaffye carousing.

8

1601.  Holland, Pliny, I. 539. They … franke them vp like fat ware, with good corn-meale.

9

1633.  T. Adams, Exp. 2 Peter ii. 22. When they are saginated and franked, their turn comes to bleed, and that by the knife of an unmerciful murderer.

10

  fig.  1555.  Abp. Parker, Ps. lxiii. 175. Lo thus my soule full frankt shall bee.

11

1606.  J. Carpenter, Solomon’s Solace, i. 5. Israel … franked and pampered with prosperitie.

12

1633.  Ford, The Broken Heart, III. ii.

                    One that franks his lust
In Swine-security of bestiall incest.

13

  b.  intr. for refl. To feed greedily.

14

1586.  Warner, Alb. Eng. (1602), 102.

        That frankes and feedeth daintily, this pines and fareth ill,
And of his sweat that hath the sweete, and is imperious still.

15

  Hence † Franked ppl. a., fattened in a frank or pen. † Franking vbl. sb.

16

c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 177/1. Frankynge, saginacio.

17

1466.  Paston Lett., No. 549, II. 268. For xxvii. frankyd gees, vis. viiid.

18

1574.  Hellowes, Gueuara’s Fam. Ep., 98. They set before hir, Pecocke, Partridge, Capons, franked Fesant, Manger blanck, Pasties, Tarts, and other variable kind of gluttonies.

19

1611.  Cotgr., Engrais de volaille, the franking or fattening of fowle.

20

1675.  Hobbes, Odyssey, XVII. 171.

          Great Sheep, fat Goats enough they sacrifice
And franked Swine, and from the Herd a Cow.

21