GIRDLE

I. noun Etymology: Middle English girdel, from Old English gyrdel; akin to Old High German gurtil ~, Old English gyrdan to gird Date: before 12th century something that encircles or confines: as, an article of dress encircling the body usually at the waist, a woman's close-fitting undergarment often boned and usually elasticized that extends from the waist to below the hips, c. shoulder ~ , pelvic ~ , the edge of a brilliant that is grasped by the setting, II. transitive verb (~d; girdling) Date: 1582 to encircle with or as if with a ~, to cut away the bark and cambium in a ring around (a plant) usually to kill by interrupting the circulation of water and nutrients, to move around ; circle