v. [UN-2 5 and 7.]
1. trans. To raise up from a couch.
c. 1430. Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, II. xxxv. (1869), 154. It is a god that … wole that men cowchen him ofte and vncowche him.
1611. Florio, Dislettare, to vnbed, to vncouch.
2. To drive (an animal) out of its lair. Also fig.
a. 1562. G. Cavendish, Wolsey (1893), 89. The kyng … commaunded the hunts to oncouche the boore.
1609. T. Jackson, Londons New-Yeeres Gift, 14 b. They are resembled vnto Foxes, whom we are now to vncouch. Ibid., 20 b. In the next place, we are to vncouch the Foxes Ecclesiasticall.
b. intr. Of an animal: To come out of its lair.
1860. Ld. Lytton, Lucile, II. iv. § 11. 4. As a young fawn uncouches … from the fern where some hunter approaches.
Hence Uncouched ppl. a., Uncouching vbl. sb.
1609. T. Jackson (title), Londons New-Yeeres Gift, or the Vncovching of the Foxe. Ibid., Ded. A ij b. My selfe [shall] remaine the safer from the teeth of vncouched Foxes, if [etc.].
