atasten

Middle English

Etymology

From Old French ataster. By surface analysis, a- +‎ tasten.

Verb

atasten

1. to put to the test, tempt, attempt
   • c. 1460, The English Register of Oseney Abbey, 19/6:

     Þerfore if oony man of þe church or seculere persone, knowe this writyng of owre ordinaunce, will ataste to come against hit [...] [they wille] be vndur to þe streyte veniaunce in þe last dome.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

2. to taste; experience
   • 14th c. Chaucer (Translator), Boethius, De Consolatione Philosophiae, 30/756

     [B]ut now is tyme þat þou drynke and ataste some softe and delitable þinges. so þat whan þei ben entred wiþ inne þe. it mow make weye to strenger drynkes of medycynes.

     But now is the time to taste some softer things, so that, when they enter into you, you will be ready for the stronger medicines.