bestep

English

Etymology

From Middle English bisteppen, from Old English besteppan (“to tread upon, step, go, enter”), from Proto-Germanic *bistapjaną (“to enter”), equivalent to be- +‎ step. Cognate with Dutch bestappen.

Verb

bestep (third-person singular simple present besteps, present participle bestepping, simple past and past participle bestepped or (archaic) bestept)

1. (transitive) To step on; step over, tread upon.
   • 1966, State University of New York College at Fredonia. Dept. of English-Speech, Drama and theatre:

     And also it is using non-necessary spiritual attentions, because we see the dog in the way and we say "excuse me," and we notify a piddle in the street and we are worried not to bestep it.

2. (intransitive) To step; take steps; walk.
   • 1919, Daniel Leavens Cady, Rhymes of Vermont rural life:

     One wintry day up drove the stage And out bestepped Miss Nancy Page, […]