Obs. Also 5 fostere. [contracted f. FORESTER; used in AF.] = FORESTER.

1

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Prol., 117. A forster [v.r. foster] was he, soothly, as I gesse.

2

c. 1430.  Syr Tryam., 1063.

        Then swere the fosters alle twelve,
They wolde no wedd but hymselfe.

3

1460.  Capgrave, Chron., 111. In his tyme was not Flaundres so rich, ne so grete named as it is now, for it had no othir governouris but the Fosteres of the Kyng of Frauns.

4

15[?].  Adam Bel, 561, in Hazl., E. P. P., II. 162.

        The baylyes, and the bedyls both,
  And the sergeauntes of the law,
Forty fosters of the fe,
  These outlawes had y-slaw.

5

1590.  Spenser, F. Q., III. i. 17.

        So as they gazed after her a while,
  Lo where a griesly Foster forth did rush,
  Breathing out beastly lust her to defile.

6

1594.  [see FORESTER 1].

7

1597.  Dowland, 1st Bk. Songs (1844), 90.

        And love as well the foster can,
As can the mighty nobleman.

8

1607.  [see FORESTER 1].

9

  Hence Fostership, the office of forester.

10

1628.  Coke, On Litt., 20 a. The Office of a Fostership [was] intailed.

11