Obs. exc. Hist. [ad. Anglo-Latin lastum, lestum (Domesday Book lest), used as the regular equivalent of late OE. lǽþ LATHE sb.1
The etymology is obscure: it is difficult on the ground of sense to suppose the word to be connected with LAST sb.2, or with the OF. lest loading of a ship. It is also difficult on the ground of form to connect the word with OE. lǽþ; it is conceivable that the Norman lest might represent this by sound-substitution, but no analogous instance is known.]
= LATHE sb.1 Also as the designation of an administrative assembly (see quot. 1670); more fully last-court.
1086. Domesday Bk., I. 1/3. Has … leges regis concordant hostes de quatuor Lestis, hoc est Boruuar Lest, & Estrelest & Linuuartlest & Wiuuartlest.
c. 1120. Rochester Bridge-bote Charter, in Birch, Cart. Sax., III. 658. (Latin text), Postea sexta pera debet fieri de holingeburna et de toto illo lesto quæ [sic] ad hoc pertinet. Ibid. (OE. text) Þonne is syo syoxte per to holingan burnan & to eallan þam læþe.
a. 1272. Charter Romney Marsh (1597), 73. Si aliquis … conuincatur per testimonium Balliui et Iuratorum in communi lasto, amercietur [etc.].
c. 1380. W. Thorn, Chron., in Twysden, Hist. Angl. Scriptores decem (1652), 1777. Hic [sc. Elfredus] constituit Hundred & Lestes.
1570–6. Lambarde, Peramb. Kent (1826), 165. Of this place the whole Last of Shipwey (conteining twelve Hundrethes) at the first tooke, and yet continueth, the name.
1662. Dugdale, Imbanking, 54. Also it was decreed and ordained that twice every year, for ever, there should be held a principal and general Last, within the said Land and Marsh.
1670. Blount, Law Dict., Last also, in the Marshes of East Kent, signifies a Court held by Twenty four Jurats, and summoned by the two Bailiffs thereof, wherein they make Orders, lay and levy Taxes, impose Penalties, &c. For preservation of the said Marshes.
1729. in Jacob, Law Dict.
1753. in Chambers, Cycl. Supp.
