v. Obs. [UNDER-1 8 a.] trans. To examine, pry into, quietly or secretly.
1600. Holland, Livy, 639. The young man … practised secretly to underfeele and sound his mind.
1630. J. Taylor (Water P.), Bawd, Wks. II. 92/1. The Priest … wil know her disposition,… and craftily vnderfeele her policies.
1654. Gataker, Disc. Apol., 81. Emissaries, who,… to underfeel and undermine men, repair to them with counterfeit errands.
