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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Libel(l, v. Also: lybel(l, -ill, lyble. [f. Libel(ln.: cf. e.m.E. libell (1588) to make defamatory accusations, to defame, mod. L. libellare (1516) to sue, F. libeller.]

1. To state as grounds for a prosecution or legal action; to specify in a libel (Libel(l n. 4); to draw up as a libel. a. With noun object.(1) 1500 Acta Conc. II. 453.
That he micht … persew the sade summondis as it was libellit 1522–3 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 211.
[He] protestit thai mycht haue the decrete geuin aganis them … retretit for sic causis as thai wald libell for the reductioun 1572–3 Reg. Privy C. II. 197.
Thay alsua sal haif his Hienes licence and favour to reduce thair forfaultouris for sic ressonabill caussis as thai can libell c1575 Balfour Pract. 149.
In all summoundis of spulȝie … , possessioun beand libellit be vertue of ane titill, the titill aucht to be producit 1602 Colville Parænese Ep. 54.
A fauorabill permission to libell and to intend a proces of reduction in the sentence 1671 Justiciary Rec. II. 56.
Albeit it be ordinary to lybell the day month and place of crimes 1677 Stitchill Baron Ct. 81.
20 sh. lybeld as the pryce and worthe of ane iron grape 1690 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II. 229.
Nothing either of malversatione lybelled or proven(2) 1497–8 Acta Conc. II. 127.
That he be decernit qwit of the soume lybellit 1547 Ex. Processes No. 1.
The schip … brak lang … or scho come to the partis libellit c 1578 Maxwell Mem. I. 311.
Knawis nocht ane targatt of gold libellit. Knawis ane steil bonet 1627 Justiciary Cases I. 62.
The pannell … offeris thame selffis to the tryell of the law for the crymes lybellit as altogidder innocent 1684 Decis. Lords F. 53.
In relation to the ground lybelled, he was not any ways certiorat, in relation to the inhibition

b. With noun clause, also accusative and infin. constr., as object. Also const. against (the accused).(1) 1559–60 Soc. Ant. XI. 523.
Hir libell war nocht relevand askand hir plege without scho libell that scho had payit the money or offert the samyn 1625 Justiciary Cases I. 20.
It is allegit be the pannell that the … dittay is nawayis relevant becaus it is nevir lybellit that ther was ane deidlie wound 1661 Sharpe Witchcraft 127.
Against Margaret Hutcheson it is lybelled that she threatened John Boost ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. II. 51.
It was lybelld against him [a minister] that he was a runnagate 1670 Forbes Baron Ct. 280.
He did lybill that … Gordon did blood and strik him 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. ii. xxiii. 4.
I will recommend it as a caution to advocats that when they are jealous of the ignorance of assisers … that they do not simply libel that such persons were [etc.](2) c 1560 Old Ross-shire I. 13.
In respect that … the persewars never libellis thame to haif had possessione of the samyn [provostry]

c. intr. To draw up a libel against a particular person, to cite (the person) as defender. d. absol. To take legal action.c. 1564 in Bisset II. 95/16.
Decerned the said M. D. to lybell aganist the executouris … and nocht allanerlie aganist the said relict 1587 Carmichael Etym. 42.
I sal libel or intend proces against thé, tibi scribamd. 1570 Sempill Sat. P. xii. 157.
Suppois ȝe crak, ȝe ly abak, And lybellis be the law

e. tr. To state the case against (a person), to pursue at law on certain specified grounds. 1692 Pitcairn Assembly iv. ii. (1817) 63.
My proposals are … that the curates be libelled on faults to be done as done 1698 S. Ronaldshay 70.
Mr. Alexr. thinks it strange he should be lybelled upon this head; it had been more fit he had lybelled his parishioners

2. gen. To specify in writing concerning (of) a person. 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 1008.
What suld I lyble of this lowne? Not all the paper of this towne … May had the half that he hes done