v. Obs. [OE. beswincan, f. BE- 4 + swincan to toil, to labor: see SWINK.]

1

  1.  trans. To labor for, work for. (Cf. betravel.)

2

[c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., John iv. 38. Ich sende eow to ripene, þæt þæt ȝe ne beswuncon [c. 1160 Hatton beswuncen].

3

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. VI. 216. Bolde beggeres and bigge þat mowe her bred biswynke.

4

1393.  Gower, Conf., I. 131. They hadden that they have beswunke.

5

c. 1400.  Test. Love (1560), 272/2. With sweate thy sustenaunce to beswinke.

6

  2.  To chastise. rare. (Prob. for beswinge.)

7

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 111. Ec þet mon biswinke þene stunte lichome for steore.

8