ˈbütlə̇s adjective
Etymology: Middle English bootelees, from Old English bōtlēas inexpiable, from bōt remedy, compensation + -lēas -less — more at boot I
1. archaic : without remedy : incurable
2. : to no advantage or avail : fruitless and frustrating
no guides were to be found, and in the next summer the young man returned from his bootless errand — Francis Parkman
• boot·less·ly adverb
• boot·less·ness noun -es