poizes

He must let the arm drop to the side, and continue for a moment in that posture in which he concluded, before he poizes his body on the other leg, and raises the other arm into the diagonal position before described; both which should be done before he begins to pronounce the next sentence.

The Young Gentleman and Lady's Monitor, and English Teacher's Assistant John Hamilton Moore 1772

He is dancing on the rope without a metaphor; his knowledge of the law is the staff that poizes him, and saves his neck.

The works of John Dryden, $c now first collected in eighteen volumes. $p Volume 07 John Dryden 1665