‘To pierce or wound with a point darted out, as that of wasps or scorpions’ (Johnson). Said also of venomous serpents and some other animals which…

transitive and intransitive. Of an insect, scorpion, etc.: to sting or bite (a person).

to sting severely.

to bite severely.

trans. To ‘sting’ as a serpent, or an insect that sucks blood.

To sting. literal and figurative.

transitive. †To pierce; to prick (obsolete); to sting as a serpent or an insect. Also absol. (Now dialect.)

Of a serpent or other venomous animal: To wound (a person) with its fangs or sting. Also absol. †Of a basilisk: To kill or injure (a person), dart…