v. & n.
v.tr. 1 hist. force to serve in the army or navy. 2 bring into use as a makeshift (was pressed into service).
n. hist. compulsory enlistment esp. in the navy.
[ alt. f. obs. prest (v. & n.) f. OF prest loan, advance pay f. prester f. L praestare furnish (as PRAE-, stare stand) ]