▪ I. † free-boot, n. Obs.
[f. free a. + boot n.2; after freebooter.]
Plunder, robbery.
| 1647 R. Stapylton Juvenal 156 The Cilicians, that lived..upon free boote. 1654 Vilvain Epit. Ess. vi. lxxviii, The Swed free boot: Dane Dice and Drink approved. |
▪ II. free-boot, v.
[back-formation from free-booter.]
intr. To act as a freebooter, plunder.
| 1592 Greene Black Bk.'s Messenger Wks. (Grosart) XI. 17, I came to the credite of a high Lawyer, and with my sword free booted abroad in the country like a Caualier on horse⁓backe. 1659 Gauden Brounrig (1660) 104 Jesus..loves to see his Soldiers not stragling and freebooting in broken parties..but united. 1869 Echo 28 Oct., When the conquerors had freebooted thoroughly, they settled. 1879 N.Y. Tribune 25 Nov. (Cent.), An ambition to..freeboot it furiously over the placid waters took possession of their bosoms. |
Hence ˈfree-booting vbl. n. and ppl. a.
| 1596 Spenser State Irel. (Globe) 631 When he goeth abrode in the night on free-booting. 1683 Chalkhill Thealma & Cl. 119 Many a night Had they used this free⁓booting. 1798 C. Smith Young Philosopher II. 242 The free-booting savage. 1868 Milman St Paul's iii. 52 The great freebooting rebel. 1876 Fox Bourne Locke II. xi. 162 Where freebooting was terribly rife. |