1661. T. Middleton, Mayor of Quinborough, V., i. Ah, blind as one that had been fox’d a sevennight.
1673. Shadwell, Epsom Wells, IV., in wks. (1720), ii., 248. But here’s my cup. Come on. Udsooks, I begin to be fox’d! [[65]]
1719. Durfey, Pills, etc., i., 194. Come, let’s trudge it to Kirkham Fair: There’s stout liquor enough to fox me.
1738. Swift, Polite Convers., Dial. 2. Lady Sm. But, Sir John, your ale is terrible strong and heady.… Sir John. Why, indeed, it is apt to fox one.
1748. T. Dyche, Dictionary (5th ed.). Fox (v.) … also to make a person drunk or fuddled.
1891. Sporting Times, 11 April. And so to bed well nigh seven in the morning, and myself as near foxed as of old.
2. (old).—To cheat; to trick; to rob (colloquial at Eton). For synonyms, see Gammon.
1631. Mayne, City Match, iii., 1. Fore Jove, the captain foxed him rarely.
1866. Notes and Queries, 3, S. x., 123. Where the tramps … out of their gout are foxed.
3. (common).—To watch closely. Also to fox about. Cf., fox’s sleep. For synonyms, see Nose.