to use the hands. The word is notunknown in English in the sense of to grip. (Shakspeare, `Cor.'IV. v. 124)
1846. C. P. Hodgson, `Reminiscences of Australia,' p. 366:
«`Fist it,' a colonial expression, which may convey to theuninitiated the idea that knives, forks, plates, etc., areunknown in the bush; such was formerly the case, but themarch of improvement has banished this peculiar simplicity.»