† aˈssaut, adv. (a.), prop. phr. Obs.
Forms: 5 a sawt, 5–7 assaut, 6 asawte, assault.
[a. F. à saut to leaping: see saut (sense 10) in Littré.]
In phr. to go or be assau(l)t: to seek the male, to rut.
| c 1400 Bk. Huntynge, MS. Bodl. No. 546, viii. 38 The fyxene of þe wolf is a sawt ones yn þe ȝeer. 1552 Huloet, Go asawte..which is the desyre betwene the male kynd, and the female kynde, Catulio. 1580 Baret Alv. A 630 To go assault..Catulio. 1601 Holland Pliny xvi. xxv, When as Nature seemeth to goe proud or assaut, and is in the rut and furious rage of love. |