Thanks, Peter and Tony. I do care, Tony, I really do. As you admit to loving 'string' (so do I, up to a point), my thing (one of them) is sorting out unusual words/phrases. I missed that particular dictionary entry, and must accept that 1782 first recorded usage represents a respectable provenance. I thought, wrongly, that it was modern and a sort of verbal greengrocer's apostrophe. I will henceforth cease harrumphing in that direction. Peter's unpacking is likewise erudite and convincing.
Tony, re your truncated previous offering - I had visions of you blowing a gasket and being unable to continue, so am relieved. I have noted your relationship with WC and will not risk provoking a vascular hypertensive reaction again.
Yours soothingly.