Obs. Forms: 4–6 apeche, 5–6 appech(e, -eache, 6 apeach(e, 5–7 appeach. See also aphet. PEACH. [Represents an earlier *anpeche (see A- pref. 10, AN- pref. 4), Eng. or AFr. form of enpeche-r, OF. empechier, empeechier, cogn. with Pr. empedegar:—L. impedicā-re to catch by the feet, entangle, f. im in + pedica a chain or gin for the feet, a fetter, f. ped-em foot. An-peche, after phonetic reduction to a-peche, was popularly aphetized in 15th c. to peche, now PEACH v.; but also, in same century, erroneously refashioned as ap-peche (after words from OF. in a- = L. ad-: see AP- pref.1), which in the reformed spelling of c. 1525 was written appeach. Meanwhile Caxton had reintroduced enpeche, empeche from contemporary Fr. empescher; which, latinized and respelt as IMPEACH, has since displaced appeach, and is the extant word.]
1. To hinder, impede, delay. (Fr. empêcher.)
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., 10. How long wilt thou me appech With thy sermonyng. Ibid., 168. My fader lyst may none appeche.
2. To charge with crime, accuse, inform against, impeach (a person).
1401. Pol. Poems, II. 46. Thou spekist proudely, apechyng oure prestes.
1580. Baret, Alv., A 464. To appeach or bewray his felowes, Conscios prodere.
1593. Shaks., Rich. II., V. ii. 79. Now by mine honor … I will appeach the Villaine.
1650. S. Clarke, Eccl. Hist. (1654), I. 18. Other men which are appeached … are not condemned till they are first convicted.
b. Const., of or for the offence, to or unto a judge.
c. 1315. Shoreham, 38. Betere hys ffor te apeched be Of more forȝefnesse Than wreche.
1414. Brampton, 7 Penit. Ps. xviii. Ȝyf God … Of no synne may the apeche.
1540. Elyot, Image Govt. (1556), 155. They apeached him unto the emperour.
1587. Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 356/1. Who also … appeached manie for stealing of horsses.
1649. Milton, Eikon., iv. (1851), 366. Twelve Cypher Bishops, who were immediately appeacht of Treason.
3. To bring a charge against, cast imputation upon, asperse (honor, character, etc.).
1430. Lydg., Chron. Troy, III. xxii. Shameful reporte your honour shall apeche.
1641. Milton, Animadv. (1851), 196. Whether this appeach not the judgement, and approbation of the Parliament.
1700. Dryden, Pal. & Arcite, I. 300. Nor dar’st thou, traitor, on the plain Appeach my honour.
4. To accuse, inform against (a crime, etc.).
1430. Lydg., Chron. Troy, IV. xxv. My bloude your gylte hereafter shall apeche.
1548. Hall, Chron., 459. To appeache and quenche this newe spronge conspiracy.
1658. Rowland, trans. Moufet’s Theat. Ins., 1051. Galen … hath proved it to be false, and appeacheth it for a lie.
5. intr. To give accusatory evidence; to ‘peach.’
1601. Shaks., All’s Well, I. iii. 197. Disclose the state of your affection, for your passions Haue to the full appeach’d.
