Obs. exc. dial. Also 4 frethe, 9 dial. freath. [f. FRITH sb.2 (senses 3, 4); but perh. of mixed derivation: see note under FRITH sb.2 4.]
1. trans. To fence in. Also fig.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. V. 590. He is frithed in with floreines.
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 3247. Froytez … ffaire frithed in frawnke appone tha free bowes.
c. 1400. Beryn, 292. The sauge & the Isope, I-frethid & I-stakid.
1541. Old Ways (1892), 110. Walter was cuttyng off a hagge to frithe a corne.
2. intr. a. To form a hedge of wattled brushwood; to wattle. b. To cut underwood, c. (See quot. 1893.)
1807. Vancouver, Agric. Devon (1813), 132. Frithing, or wattling with willow-stakes, or any other hardy wood, known to grow from cuttings.
1847–78. Halliwell, Frith, to plash a hedge. Devon.
1866. Blackmore, C. Nowell, l. A labourer … had been frithing: that is to say, cutting underwood in one of the forest copses.
1893. Wiltsh. Gloss., Frith, to make a brushwood drain.
Hence Frithing, material for fencing; brushwood, underwood.
1429. Durh. MS. Cell. Roll. In ij Draghtrapis et iij frethyng’, xixd.
1866. Blackmore, C. Nowell, xlv. The frithings have not been cut for ten years.
