The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Essay \Es*say"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Essayed; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Essaying.] [F. essayer. See Essay, n.]
   1. To exert one's power or faculties upon; to make an effort
      to perform; to attempt; to endeavor; to make experiment or
      trial of; to try.
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            What marvel if I thus essay to sing?  --Byron.
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            Essaying nothing she can not perform. --Emerson.
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            A danger lest the young enthusiast . . . should
            essay the impossible.                 --J. C.
                                                  Shairp.
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   2. To test the value and purity of (metals); to assay. See
      Assay. [Obs.] --Locke.
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