Obs. Also 5–5 babysh(e. [? f. OF. baubiss- lengthened stem of baubir to mock, ridicule; cf. babuse, babuise, mockery. Perhaps influenced in use by babish adj.] To scoff at, scorn; to treat with contempt as mere children.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., 78. Josephe. Thay excusyd hir thus sothly … And babyshed me that was old.
1548. Udall, etc., Erasm. Par. John vii. The Phariseis had babished the simple people with fained and colde religion.
1549. Olde, Erasm. Par. 1 Tim. ii. 15. We do not thus babyshe womankynde, as thoughe we woulde exclude them from … saluation. [Cf. Sc. ‘Babbis, To scoff, to gibe; to browbeat.’ Jam.]
