† pounsonedadj.
Origin: Apparently formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: English pounsoun , puncheon n.1, -ed suffix2.
Etymology: Apparently < pounsoun, variant of puncheon n.1 + -ed suffix2. Compare post-classical Latin poncionatus , ponsonatus , ponsonetus , ponzonatus (of metalwork) chased, embossed (from 1338 in British sources), Anglo-Norman pounsonné (1431 or earlier) and Middle French poinssonné (of metalwork) chased, embossed (1324 in Old French as ponchonné : see pounce v.1). Compare pounsoning n. and slightly later pounced adj.1The Chaucer manuscripts show variation between this word and, in a slightly later version, derivatives of pounce v.1 (compare quot. c1410 at pounced adj.1 1a, and also quot. c1410 at pouncing n.1). The textile-working context of quot. c1390 below and quot. c1390 at pounsoning n. is not paralleled for French poinçonner or for puncheon n.1, but compare later pounce v.1 1, pounce n.1 4.
Obsolete.
rare.
c1390 G. Chaucer 421 They wolde yeuen swich pownsoned [v.rr. powsoned; pounsed] and dagged clothynge to the pouere folk.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2006; most recently modified version published online December 2020).