Obs. Forms: 3–4 voweson, 5–6 vouson (5 vourson, -sone, wouson), 6 vowson. [Aphetic f. avow(e)son ADVOWSON.] Advowson, patronage.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 9678. Ȝuf bituene tueie lewedemen were eni striuing … As vor voweson of churche weþer ssolde þe churche ȝiue.
1424. Paston Lett., I. 18. A sute that he made ageyn the seyd priour of a voweson of the chyrche of Sprouston.
1426. in E. E. Wills (1882), 74. Þe Maner Enwarle in Deuen, with þe voursone of þe chirche, And … þe maner of Thorncoffyn in Somerset, with þe vourson of þe church.
1464. Rolls of Parlt., V. 520/2. Londes, Tenementes, Rentes and Wousons of Chirches.
1550. T. Lever, Serm. (Arb.), 115. Not able … to barcke agaynste pluralytyes, improperacions, bying of vousons, nor against anye euyll abuse of the cleargies lyuynges.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 156. An other euill vse is to geue out vousons of benefices, as it were in a reuertion.
1570. Abp. Parker, Corr. (Parker Soc.), 361. I was informed that this Rycall was granted in vowson to one Mr. Hamond of Yorkshire.
