botel (bot)

[The ME. and AS. (dat.) form of boot1, ML. bota, retained archaically in law writings: see boot1.] 1. Help; aid; relief; salvation; remedy in illne ; boot (which see). Specifically-2. In old law: (a) Compensation, as for an injury; amends; satisfaction; a payment in expiation of an offense: as, man- bote, a compensation for a man slain. (b) A privilege or allowance of nece aries for repair or support; estovers: as, house- bote, enough wood to repair a house or for fuel; plow- bote, cart bote, wood for making or repairing instruments of husbandry; hay- bote or hedge- bote, wood for hedges or fences, etc. bote2t. Middle English preterit of bite. bote3+, prep. and conj. A Middle English form of but1.