▪ I. † skeck, n. Obs. rare.
In 3–4 skec, skek(ke, scek.
[ad. OF. eskec, var. of eschec spoil, booty.]
An attack made for the sake of plunder; a petty raid. Cf. skeg n.3
| 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 5131 Bote hii þus mid scolkinge vpe þe englisse wende, & doþ eni skek feble ynou & abbeþ þe worse ende. c 1330 Arth. & Merl. 4324 (Kölbing), Kepe we þe strait wais Ouer alle in þe cuntrays & robben hem her sustenaunce Wiþ skec. Ibid. 4501 Þat..Binomen mani painems her liif & wiþ skekes & wiþ fiȝt Þe wayes loked wele a pliȝt. |
▪ II. † skeck, v. Obs. rare.
In 4 skecken, skekke.
[f. prec. Cf. skick v.]
1. intr. To make a raid on; to spoil, plunder.
| c 1330 Arth. & Merl. 7409 (Kölbing), Þai hem hidden a litel þer bi, For to aspien, sikerli, Þe route of þe Sarrazins.., For to skecken on hem on hest, When þai seiȝe time best. a 1400 Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS. 82 Thyne executurs Of þe ne will rekke, but skikk ande skekke Full baldely in thi boures. |
2. trans. To seize as spoil.
| c 1325 Body & Soul 244 in Map's Poems (Camden) 243/1 Uche to pyke that he con skekke, Scheep or swyn..or net. |
Hence † ˈskecking vbl. n. Obs.
| 13.. K. Alis. 3563 (Laud MS.), Many proude gome..Willeþ wenden in þe morowenyng And vpon vs maken a skekkyng. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) III. 257 Half þe peple stood i-armed wiþoute þe citee forto defende þe cite, and þe workmen for resynge and stekkynge [v.r. skekkynge] of straunge naciouns. |