overrake

Verb

overrake (third-person singular simple present overrakes, present participle overraking, simple past and past participle overraked)

1. (transitive) To rake over, or sweep across, from end to end, as waves break over a vessel anchored with its head to the sea.
   • 1648, Oct. A shallop, which had been a fishing with others all summer, was attempting to make a harbour at "Damaril's Cove, was overraked by the surf , and all drowned , being four Englishmen , and one Indian , and the goods all perished ."1834, Joseph Barlow Felt, History of Ipswich, Essex, and Hamilton, page 202
   • After they had cut downe their mast, ye storme beat of their round house and all their uper works; 3. men had worke enough at ye helme, and he that cund ye ship before ye sea, was faine to be found fast for washing away; the seas did so overrake them, as many times those upon ye decke knew not...1898, William Bradford, History of "Plimoth Plantation.", page 169
2. To rake over or assault, as enemy gunfire attacking the entire force.
   • At Mevis we intended to refresh ourselves, having been eleven weeks pestered in this unwholesome ship; but there we found two tall ships with the Hollanders' colours, but necessity forcing us on shore, we anchored fair' by them, and in friendly manner sent to hail them; but seeing they were...1812, John Pinkerton, A General Collection of the Best and Most Interesting Voyages and Travels in All Parts of the World, page 128
   • The fire was now becoming intense, the right flank of my company being the most hotly attacked: Believing that a change of position was really necessary, and that in a few moments more we should be swept with an overraking fire, I threw the right wing of company to the rear, in order to diminish...1883, “Report of Capt. James M. Whitson, Eight North Carolina Infantry”, in House documents, volume 12, number 351, page 175
3. To rake or scrape to excess.
   • Of his depth of feeling, his exquisite sensibility, and his poetic fire (which burned the more vigorously, perhaps, for not being overraked with a classical poker) , this is not the place to treat.1903, Samuel Lover, The Collected Writings of Samuel Lover: Poetical works
   • Discourage overraking around cabins and camp areas as this will destroy natural undergrowth, causing erosion and excessive dust.1952, United States. Soil Conservation Service, Conservation in Camping, page 8
4. To rake or scrape over.
   • Better methods are happily coming into use, and it is already being found profitable to overrake the spoil-hillocks of our ancestors.1901 March, John Hyde, “Fairfield: A Peakland Township”, in The Gentleman's Magazine, volume 290, number 2043, page 238
5. To install with too great a slope or angle.
   • As their lordships did me the honour to entrust a frigate of new construction to my charge, I feel it my duty to speak the whole truth, and not deceive the constructor by flattering and specious reports, tending to mislead him; and I hope to be excused in remarking, that a short bow on fine lines...1845, Sir William Symonds, Facts versus Fiction, page 192
   • Overraked poles are always an eyesore, and undoubtedly detract from the appearance of the overhead equipment, no matter how well it is erected.1938, Transport World - Volume 83, page 125