besow

From Middle English besowen, bisawen, from Old English besāwan (“to sow, sow about”), equivalent to be- +‎ sow. Cognate with Middle High German besǣjen (“to besow”).

besow (third-person singular simple present besows, present participle besowing, simple past and past participle besowed)

1. (transitive) To sow; sow all around or about; scatter; disperse; plant.
   • 1898, International Association of Factory Inspectors, Annual convention of the International Association of Factory Inspectors:

     [...] is to miss for him all the advantage our civilization is prepared to besow upon his childhood.

• Bowes, bowes, bowse