or pumble, pommel, subs. (old).—A drubbing: amongst pugilists, a CRIPPLER (q.v.). Also as verb. = to beat; TO TAN (q.v.): also PUM.—B. E. (c. 1696); GROSE (1785).

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  1515.  [EDWARD HALL, Henry VIII., an. 6]. The duke by pure strength tooke hym about the necke, and POMELED so aboute the hed that the bloud yssued out of his nose.

2

  1530.  PALSGRAVE, Langue Francoyse, s.v.

3

  1548.  UDALL, Paraphrase of Erasmus, Luke iii. Thei turne him cleane out of his owne doores, and PUMBLE him about the pate.

4

  1713.  Observer, No. 95. I was PUMMELLED to a mummy by the boys, showed up by the ushers, &c.

5

  1772.  BRIDGES, A Burlesque Translation of Homer, 96.

        But I …
Go quite upon another plan,
And sleep UNPUMMEL’D when I can.

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  d. 1815.  R. A. MILLIKIN, The Groves of Blarney.

        But Oliver Cromwell, he did her PUMMEL,
  And made a breach in her battlement.

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  1819.  BYRON, Don Juan, I. 184.

        Alphonso, POMMELL’D to his heart’s desire
Swore lustily he’d be reveng’d this night.

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  1858.  DICKENS, Great Expectations, xii. I used to want … to … fly at Pumblechook, and PUMMEL him all over.

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