swanherd
(ˈswɒnhɜːd)
Also 6 swannerd, corruptly swanyeard, swannyard.
[f. swan n. + herd n.2]
One who tends swans; an official having charge of swans.
| 1482 Rolls of Parlt. VI. 224/1 Divers Swanherdes, and Kepers of Swannes. 1554 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford (1880) 220 For ale for the swanyeardys, ij{supd}. Ibid. 226 Wyne that was geven to swannerds. 1564 Proclam. Q. Eliz. Conserv. Swans, Euery swanherde intending to keepe any swannes or signettes. 1602–3 in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1888) III. 595 Item y⊇ swanherd for vpping swans ijs. a 1634 Coke Inst. iv. (1648) 280 What authority the Kings Swanheard hath, being of ancient time by his Office Magister deductus Cygnorum, you may reade Rot. Patentium Anno ii H. 4. part. i. m. 14. 1883 in Standard 4 Aug. 3/6 The Queen's Swanherd, and the officials of the..Companies, have just concluded their..swan-upping excursion on the Thames. |