bowstring, v.
(ˈbəʊstrɪŋ)
[f. prec. n. The pa. tense and pple. ought to be bowstringed, but bowstrung is also found, from the vb. to string.]
trans. To strangle with a bow-string.
| 1803 Edin. Rev. I. 359 The vizier who commands a vanquished army..is generally bowstringed. 1840 Poe Wks. 1864 I. 132 It was high time for her to get up and be bow⁓strung. 1884 Graphic 23 Aug. 204/2 He took his bow and bowstrung him. |
Hence ˈbowstringer and ˈbowstrung ppl. a.
| 1820 Byron Juan v. cxlvii, His lately bowstrung brother caused his rise. 1839 Stonehouse Axholme 426 The first settler was chief of the bow stringers who attended his [the Conqueror's] army. |