n. [ OE. þrowe, þrawe, AS. þreá a threatening, oppression, suffering, perhaps influenced by Icel. þrā a throe, a pang, a longing; cf. AS. þreowian to suffer. ]
Prodogious motion felt, and rueful throes. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. i. To struggle in extreme pain; to be in agony; to agonize. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t. To put in agony. [ R. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]