v. [f. BE- 2 + STILL v.] trans. To make quiet, to still, to hush.
1770. Armstrong, Imit., 80. Each brook that wont to prattle to its banks Lies all bestilled.
a. 1773. J. Cunningham, Eleg. Ode (R.). Commerce—bestill’d her many-nation’d tongue.
1871. G. Macdonald, Wks. Fancy & Imag., II. 107. The solemn looks, the awful place, Bestill the mother’s joy.
¶ In the following the quartos and mod. edd. read distilled; but it may belong to this with the sense ‘made motionless, stiffened, congealed.’
1602. Shaks., Ham., I. ii. 204. Whilst they bestil’d Almost to Jelly with the Act of feare, Stand dumbe and speake not.
