[f. TOIL sb.2] trans. To trap or enclose in a toil; to drive (game) into a toil; also fig. to entrap, entangle; dial. to set (a trap); cf. TILL v.1 7.

1

1592.  Warner, Alb. Eng., VIII. xli. (1612), 199. And hath he toyled vp his game?

2

1621.  Elsing, Debates Ho. Lords (Camden), App. 139. Seeing these poore mene toyled in this maze of affliccions.

3

1887.  T. Hardy, Woodlanders, xlvii. He laid the trap,… set it, or to use the local and better word ‘toiled’ it.

4

  Hence Toiled ppl. a., netted, trapped, snared.

5

1852.  Jerdan, Autobiog., II. 16. The toiled bird had been liberated from its cage.

6

1854.  Syd. Dobell, Balder, xxiii. 85. Lying close like a toiled bird that with wide eyes Is mute and strange. Ibid., xxxvii. 186. Bind him down With the strong bonds of love … Naked and toiled.

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