Middle English Dictionary Entry
holken v.
Entry Info
| Forms | holken v. Also hulke. |
| Etymology | Cp. holk(e n. & MLG holken. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To dig, excavate; ~ out, gouge out (the eyes); ppl. holked, of eyes: sunken, hollow; (b) to form a hollow in (dough), shape into a shell.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1220 : He..holkked out his auen yȝen heterly boþe.
- c1440(a1400) Awntyrs Arth.(Thrn)116 : Hir eghne ware holkede fulle holle, Glowand als gledis.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)64b : To holke: palare.
b
- a1485 *Hrl.1735 Cook.Recipes (Hrl 1735)115 (f.17v) : Couche þi fars..; hulke it & pinche it & mak þi lowes.