v. arch. Forms: Inf. 3–4 bi-, byspete, -speete, (6 bespette). Pa. t. 4 byspet, bispatte. Pa. pple. 3–4 bispat, 4 bispet, 5 by-, 6 bespetted, 9 bespate. [ME. bespeten, f. BE- 1 + speten, OE. spǽtan to spit.] = BESPIT.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 122. Ȝif me mis-seið þe, þenc þæt tu ert eorðe … ne bispet me þe eorðe?
a. 1240. Orison, 32, in O. E. Misc., 140. Bi-spat þu were and al myd wowe.
c. 1315. Shoreham, 84. Hy … Byspet hym that swete semblant.
1382. Wyclif, Mark xv. 19. Theí smyten his heed with a reede, and bispatten him.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pers. T., ¶ 205. Thanne was his visage … vileynsly bispet [v.r. bespit].
1496. Dives & Paup. (W. de W.), VI. xv. 259. That blyssfull bodye … was … byspetted for our synne.
1580. Baret, Alv., B 576. To Bespette one all ouer.
1855. Browning, Ch. Roland, xix. Its [a river’s] black eddy bespate with flakes and spumes.
