Thatch v.

Forms: α. 1 þecc(e)an, 4 thecche, 4–6 theche, 5 thetche, 6–7 thetch (7 dial. thesh). β. 4 þacchen, 5–6 thacche, 5–7 thach(e, 6 thatche, 6– thatch. [OE. þęcc(e)an (pa. t. þeahte, þęhte, Vesp. Ps. þæhte, pa. pple. ʓeþeaht), Common Teutonic vb.; in Fris. bi)thękk(i)a, OS. bi)thęccian (MDu., MLG. decken, Du., LG. dekken), OHG. dęcchan (MHG., Ger. decken), ON. þekja (Sw. täcka, Da. tække):—OTeut. *þakjan, f. *þako^m covering, roof, THACK sb. The regular etymological form is thetch: the literary thatch has app. taken its vowel from THACK sb. Cf. also the cognate THACK v.¹, THEEK v.]

  † 1.  trans. To cover. (Only O.E.)

Beowulf, 514. Þa ʓit on sund reon þær ʓit eagor-stream earmum þehton.

a. 1000.  Cædmon’s Gen., 877 (Gr.). For hwon wast þu wean & wrihst sceome, ʓesyhst sorʓe & þin sylf þecest lic mid leafum.

c. 1000.  Ags. Ps. (Th.), cxlvi. 8. Se þe heofen þeceð hadrum wolcnum.

  2.  spec. To cover or roof (a house) with straw, reeds, palm-leaves, heather, or the like, laid so as to protect from the weather; also, to cover the top of (a rick or wall) in a similar way. † Formerly also, to roof (a house) with slates, tiles, or similar roofing material.

1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVII. xxxi. (Tollem. MS.). In þe norþe londe men þacchen [ed. 1495 thetche] here houses with reed.

c. 1500[?].  How Plowman lerned his Pater-Noster, 19, in Hazl., E. P. P., I. 210. He coude theche a hous, and daube a wall.

1555.  Eden, Decades, 101. Their houses are … thetched with the stalkes of certayne towghe herbes.

1610.  Holland, Camden’s Brit. (1637), 491. Reed for to thatch their Houses.

1623–4.  Althorp MS., in Simpkinson, Washingtons (1860), App. 53. To Phipp one daie theshing the dove house.

1698.  Fryer, Acc. E. India & P., 66. The Houses are low, and Thatched with Oleas of the Cocoe-Trees.

1774.  Pennant, Tour Scot. in 1772, 135. Many of the churches are thatched with heath.

1865.  Parkman, Huguenots, iv. The buildings of the fort were all thatched … with leaves of the palmetto.

  3.  fig. To cover as with thatch.

1589.  Pappe w. Hatchet, C iv. If that Martin could thatch vp his Church, this mans scabship should bee an Elder.

1604.  Middleton, Father Hubburd’s T., Wks. (Bullen), VIII. 89. My chin was well thatched with a beard.

1614.  Gorges, Lucan, V. 166. Mount Æmus now was thatch’t with snow.

1662.  Hibbert, Body of Div., II. 135. Their faces thatcht over with impudence.

1683.  Owen, Serm. Chamb. Imagery, Wks. 1855, VIII. 584. One lie must be thatched with another, or it will quickly rain through.

1816.  Scott, Bl. Dwarf, i. note. His head … was thatched with no other covering than long matted red hair.

1857.  Emerson, Poems, 26. What if Trade … thatch with towns the prairie broad.

1858.  Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., I. v. (1872), I. 45. As if there was cloth enough … to thatch the Arctic Zone.

  4.  Of a thing: To serve as a covering or roof to; to cover, to roof.

c. 1000.  Sax. Leechd., II. 242. Sio filmen [of the milt] biþ þeccende & wreonde þa wambe & þa innofaran.

1663.  Gerbier, Counsel, d vj b. Leaves of Trees do thatch their Domiciliums.

1852.  Mrs. Stowe, Uncle Tom’s C., ix. The shock of hair that thatched his head.

  5.  intr. To do thatching; to thatch houses.

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XIX. 232. Somme he tauȝte to tilie to dyche & to thecche.

1591.  Spenser, M. Hubberd, 264. To hedge, to ditch, to thrash, to thetch, to mowe.

1795.  Aikin & Barbauld, Evenings at Home, vi. 105. Gubba. Can you thatch? There is a piece blown off the cow-house. Alfred. Alas! I cannot thatch.