subs. (old).—The gallows. See TREE.
1590. SWINBURN, Testaments, 53. Or in Kent in Gauelkind … for there it is said, the father to the BOUGHE, and the son to the ploughe.
1596. SPENSER, A View of the Present State of Ireland, Wks. (1862), 553, col. 2. Some who have not deserved judgement of death, though otherwise perhaps offending, have beene for their goods sake caught up, and carryed straight to the BOUGH.
1870. W. MORRIS, The Earthly Paradise, III., iv., 77.
| And little heed we thy lies now, | |
| But if she doom thee to the BOUGH. |
UP IN THE BOUGHS, phr. (old).—In a passion.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. BOUGHS, he is UP IN THE BOUGHS, or a top of the House, of one upon the Rant, or in a great Ferment.
