In 4 (erron.) chauceore, 5–6 chawcer, 7 chauceur. [F. chaussure, in 13th c. chauceure, ‘a hosing or shooing; also, hosen or shooes’ (Cotgr.):—L. *calceātūra, f. calceāre to shoe, f. calceus shoe. Formerly naturalized; now treated as mod. French.]
A general term for anything worn on the feet; shoes, boots, etc. (In quot. 1380 = hose of mail.)
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 5631. Ac ȝut þe strok ys ferþer wente … And ful opon ys genyllere, & bar away ys chauceore, Of yre & styl y-mad.
c. 1430. Bennet College MS., Mark i. 7 (R.). Of whom I am not worthi downfallande or knelande to louse the thwonge of his chawcers.
1461–83. Liber Niger Edw. IV., in Househ. Ord. (1790), 29. Clothing and chawcers for his groomes in sojourne.
1601. F. Tate, Househ. Ord. Edw. II. (1876), 26. For chauceur, the whol yere iiijs. viiid.
1817. Keatinge, Trav., I. 256. Those … leave their chaussure at the palace gate.
1850. Thackeray, Pendennis, xxvi. The prettiest little foot … and the prettiest little chaussure, too.
1866. Howells, Venet. Life, ii. 29. That unfriendly chaussure [wooden shoes].
