Also 7 leere. [Perh. a developed use of lear, LAIR sb.1 5: cf. quot. 1623 there.] Color (of sheep or cattle), due to the nature of the soil.
1601. Holland, Pliny, XXXI. ii. II. 403. In some places there is no other thing bred or growing but brown & duskish, insomuch as not only the cattell is all of that leere, but also the corn upon the ground.
1616. Surfl. & Markham, Country Farm, I. xxv. 117. Now for the leares of sheepe, you shall vnderstand that the browne hazell leare is of all other the best, the redd leare next to it [etc.].
1883. Advt. Handbill, M——’s Fly, Lear, and Vermin Powder will prevent the Sheep from being struck by the Fly, at the same time producing a good Lear, which every farmer must allow is a great advantage.
