imp. of Shrive. [ 1913 Webster ]

Shrove Sunday, Quinguagesima Sunday. --
Shrove Tuesday, the Tuesday following Quinguagesima Sunday, and preceding the first day of Lent, or Ash Wednesday. It was formerly customary in England, on this day, for the people to confess their sins to their parish priests, after which they dined on pancakes, or fritters, and the occasion became one of merriment. The bell rung on this day is popularly called Pancake Bell, and the day itself Pancake Tuesday. P. Cyc. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To join in the festivities of Shrovetide; hence, to make merry. [ Obs. ] J. Fletcher. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From shrive to take a confession (OE. imp. shrof, AS. scrāf) + tide. ] The days immediately preceding Ash Widnesday, especially the period between the evening before Quinguagesima Sunday and the morning of Ash Wednesday. [ 1913 Webster ]