Dear Faldage: I just got a surprise. Webster 1913 gives as the fourth definition of "beg" as"
4. To take for granted; to assume without proof.

Does OED also give this definition? It almost sounds to me as though it were contrived to cover the "beg the question" problem.

For those who may not have seen it, Quinion has some helpful information:
http://www.quinion.com/words/qa/qa-beg1.htm

P.S. I got another surprise. Quinion says "beg the qestion" originated in 1581.