betow

From be- +‎ tow, or as a back-formation from Middle English betowen (“bestowed, applied”), past participle of bitēn (“to tug, pull, cover, apply, devote, employ, bring about, perform”), from Old English betēon (“to cover, surround, enclose”).

• Rhymes: -əʊ

betow (third-person singular simple present betows, present participle betowing, simple past and past participle betowed)

1. (transitive, obsolete) To tow about; pull; draw; lead about; conduct.
2. (transitive, obsolete) To educate; influence; steer; direct.
3. (transitive, obsolete) To bestow; apply.
   • 1821, David Hume, The history of England from the invasion of Julius Cæsar to the accession of Henry VII

     For Henry, as lord Bacon observes, loved to employ and advance prelates; because, having rich bishoprics to betow, it was easy for him to reward their services: […]