The Collaborative International Dictionary
To take soil
Soil \Soil\, n. [OF. soil, souil, F. souille, from OF. soillier, F. souiller. See Soil to make dirty.] A marshy or miry place to which a hunted boar resorts for refuge; hence, a wet place, stream, or tract of water, sought for by other game, as deer.
As deer, being stuck, fly through many soils,
Yet still the shaft sticks fast.
--Marston.
To take soil, to run into the mire or water; hence, to take refuge or shelter.
O, sir, have you taken soil here? It is well a man
may reach you after three hours' running.
--B.
Jonson.