Obs. [cf. CIVET], dim. of CHIVE1, in sense 2. See quot.
1708–21. Kersey, Chivets the small Parts of the Roots of Plants, by which they are propagated. So Bailey, 1721–1800. [But this explanation comes verbally from Phillips and Coles, who give it as the meaning of chives: so that Kersey’s chivets is possibly a Dictionary error.]
