Obs. Forms: 2–3 bihofþe, 3 bihouþe, biofte, byefþe, 3–4 byofþe, 4 byhofþe. [f. OE. bi-, behofian to need, BEHOVE + -TH.] Need, behoof; use, service.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 19. To þere saule bihofðe.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 1408. Rebecca wile ic hauen, To ysac-is bi-ofte wile ic crauen.
1297. R. Glouc., 348. To hys byefþe. Ibid., 354. To Wyllammes byofþe.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. XIII. 187. To mannes byhofthe.
a. 1400. Eng. Gilds, 354. To here owne by-ofþe.
