The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Refuse \Re*fuse"\ (r?*f?z"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Refused
   (-f?zd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Refusing.] [F. refuser, either
   from (assumed) LL. refusare to refuse, v. freq. of L.
   refundere to pour back, give back, restore (see Refund to
   repay), or. fr. L. recusare to decline, refuse cf. Accuse,
   Ruse), influenced by L. refutare to drive back, repel,
   refute. Cf. Refute.]
   1. To deny, as a request, demand, invitation, or command; to
      decline to do or grant.
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            That never yet refused your hest.     --Chaucer.
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   2. (Mil.) To throw back, or cause to keep back (as the
      center, a wing, or a flank), out of the regular aligment
      when troops ar? about to engage the enemy; as, to refuse
      the right wing while the left wing attacks.
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   3. To decline to accept; to reject; to deny the request or
      petition of; as, to refuse a suitor.
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            The cunning workman never doth refuse
            The meanest tool that he may chance to use.
                                                  --Herbert.
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   4. To disown. [Obs.] "Refuse thy name." --Shak.
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