v. [UN-2 5 and 4.]
1. trans. a. To remove (a ship) from the stocks.
a. 1547. Surrey, Æneis, IV. 524. Where the Troyans fast Fell to their worke, from the shore to unstock High rigged ships.
b. Ta dismount (a gun).
1598. Florio, Scalcagnare,… to vnstock, or dismount any kinde of great ordinance or artillerie.
c. To remove the stock from (a gun, etc.).
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), To Unstock a Gun, is to take off its Stock.
1726. Shelvocke, Voy. round World, 70. After we had got well to sea, we unstock’d our anchors and brought them aft.
1849. W. S. Mayo, Kaloolah, viii. Unstocking my rifle-barrel.
2. To deprive of stock.
1647. Digges, Unlawf. Taking Armes, 169. The husbandmans store being consumed, the pastures unstocked,… we shall be devoured by famine.
1667. Waterhouse, Fire Lond., 169. Turned out of their callings, and unstocked by the loss of that ruffle.
3. To empty of occupants.
1655. G. S., in Hartlib, Ref. Commonw. Bees, 28. I am confident, had I continued my digestions any considerable time, I had soon unstock[ed] nigh a dozen of Hives.
1865. W. G. Palgrave, Arabia, II. 328. The conflict of the Roses did not unstock the England of a few years later.
