ORIGIN OF THE PHRASE "TO BOOT."
Bote or Bota, in our old law books, signifies recompense, repentance, or fine paid by way of expiation, and is derived from the Saxon. Hence our common phrase "to boot," speaking of something given by way of compensation.
P.T.W.
OLD SONG.
"Syr Tankarde he is as bold a wight
As ever Old England bred;
His armoure it is of the silver bright,
And his coloure is ruby red;