besow

English

Etymology

From Middle English besowen, bisawen, from Old English besāwan (“to sow, sow about”); equivalent to be- +‎ sow. Cognate with Middle High German besǣjen (“to besow”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bɪˈsəʊ/

Verb

besow (third-person singular simple present besows, present participle besowing, simple past besowed, past participle besown or besowed)

1. (transitive) To sow; sow all around or about; scatter; disperse; plant.
   • 1898, International Association of Factory Inspectors, Annual convention of the International Association of Factory Inspectors:

     [...] is to miss for him all the advantage our civilization is prepared to besow upon his childhood.

Anagrams

• Bowes, bowes, bowse