[f. KNAVE sb.] trans. In various nonce-uses: a. To call (any one) knave. b. To make a knave of. c. To steal like a knave. d. To force knavishly. Hence Knaving vbl. sb.
1545. 1st Exam. Anne Askewe, in Bale’s Sel. Wks. (Parker Soc.), 173. Dog’s rhetoric and cur’s courtesy, knavings, brawlings, and quarrellings.
1598. J. M., Seruingmans Comf. (1868), 162. What cares a Gentleman now adayes to knaue & rascall his Man at euery worde?
1605. Kyd, 1st Pt. Jeronimo, in Hazl., Dodsley, IV. 361. He’s a great man, therefore we must not knave him.
1658. Sir T. Browne, Hydriot., ii. To be knav’d out of our graves.
1732. Gentleman Instructed (ed. 10), 477 (D.). How many nets do they lay to ensnare the squire and knave themselves.
1821. Clare, Vill. Minstr., I. 18. Sad deeds bewailing of the prowling fox; How in the roost the thief had knav’d his way.
