n. & v. (also girt)
n. 1 the distance around a thing. 2 a band round the body of a horse to secure the saddle etc.
v. 1 tr. a secure (a saddle etc.) with a girth. b put a girth on (a horse). 2 tr. surround, encircle. 3 intr. measure (an amount) in girth.
[ ME f. ON gjörth, Goth. gairda f. Gmc ]