dozener
(ˈdʌz(ə)nə(r))
Also 6 dussiner, 7 dozinier, doziner, (7 decennier, 7–9 deciner).
[In sense 1, a. AF. dozeyner, dozainer, a corrupt form of dizeyner (dizener): cf. dozen n. 4. In sense 2 prob. the same; but cf. dozen 3.]
1. a. A member of a tithing: see dozen 4. b. The head of a dozen.
| 1617 Minsheu Ductor s.v. Deciners, We will that all..professe themselues to be of this or that dozein, and make or offer suretie of their behauiour by these or those doziniers. [tr. Britton: see dozen 4.] 1670 Blount Law Dict., Deciners alias Decenniers, alias Doziners. 1869 [see decener]. |
2. A name formerly borne by the constables, watchmen, or other ward-officers, in some boroughs.
| 1558 Lichfield Guild Ord. (1890) 17 Billettes Directed to the Dussiners in euery seuerall warde for the colleccion off the sommes aboue written. 1806 T. Harwood Hist. Lichfield 354 The watch..at Lichfield, used to be called ‘dozeners’. Ibid., The great Portmote Court of the Bailiffs and Citizens, Lords of the Manor, called anciently Le Dozener's, or Magdalen Court. 1835 Municip. Corp. 1st Rept. App. iii. 1851 The Inspector of Pounds, called Dozener..in the borough [Derby]. |