Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Whistle \Whis"tle\, v. t.
1. To form, utter, or modulate by whistling; as, to whistle a
tune or an air.
2. To send, signal, or call by a whistle.
He chanced to miss his dog; we stood still till he
had whistled him up. --Addison.
{To whistle off}.
(a) To dismiss by a whistle; -- a term in hawking. ``AS a
long-winged hawk when he is first whistled off the
fist, mounts aloft.'' --Burton.
(b) Hence, in general, to turn loose; to abandon; to
dismiss.
I 'ld whistle her off, and let her down the wind
To prey at fortune. --Shak.
Note: ``A hawk seems to have been usually sent off in this
way, against the wind when sent in search of prey; with
or down the wind, when turned loose, and abandoned.''
--Nares.