Obs. exc. Hist. Forms: 6 luzarne, lyserne, 6–7 lusern, luzern(e, 7 leuz-, lewzerne, lewxern, lucirne, luseran, 7– lucern(e. [Prob. a. early mod.G. lüchsern adj., pertaining to the lynx, f. luchs lynx (see LOSS2); the word was app. introduced as a name for the fur of the lynx; for a similar instance of an adjective becoming a sb., cf. MARTEN.
The spelling lewxerne (quot. 1662), if not a misprint, is conclusive evidence in favor of this derivation. Etymologists have usually supposed the word to be an alteration of the OF. loucerve, leuserve, female lynx, a fem. of unexplained form corresponding to the masc. loup-cervier repr. L. lupus cervārius (Pliny) lynx, lit. ‘stag-hunting wolf’ (lupus wolf, cervārius adj. f. cervus stag). But this hypothesis does not account for the form of the Eng. word, nor can it be satisfactorily referred to the OF. loup cervin (as if L. *lupus cervīnus = lupus cervarius) of which Godef. gives one example. Possibly there may have been in OF. a confusion between loup-cervier and an adopted Teut. synonym.]
1. The lynx. b. The skin or fur of the lynx, formerly held in high esteem.
1532–3. Act 24 Hen. VIII., c. 13 § 1. Ne also weare … any Furres of Blake Jenettes or Luserns.
1536. Wardr. Acc. Hen. VIII., in Archæologia, IX. 249. With twelve lusarne skynnes.
1549. in Egerton Papers (Camden), 11. That no man under the degree of an Erle, weare … any … sabel, luzarnes, or black genetes.
1578. Parkhurst, Lett., in Hakluyt’s Voy. (1600), III. 133. There are many other kinds of beasts, as Luzarnes and other mighty beastes like to Camels in greatnesse.
1585. Sir W. Dixie’s Pageant, in Nichols, Progr. Q. Eliz., I. 446. A straunger, straungly mounted, as you see, Seated upon a lusty Luzern’s back.
1591. G. Fletcher, Russ. Commw., 10. Their beasts of strange kinds are the Losh, the Ollen,… the Lyserne, the Beauer, the Sable [etc.].
c. 1611. Chapman, Iliad, XI. 417. As when a den of bloodie Lucerns [orig. θῶες] cling About a goodly palmed Hart.
1617. Middleton, Love & Antiq., Wks. (Dyce), V. 288. The Triumphant Chariot of Love … drawn with two luzerns.
1622. Fletcher, Beggars Bush, III. iii. The Polcat, Marterne and the rich skind Lucerne.
1628. Dekker, Brit. Hon., Wks. 1873, IV. 105. Two Luzernes, The Supporters of the Skinners Armes.
1662. Stat. Irel. (1765), II. 406. Lewxerns skins the piece £2 10s. 0d.
1698. A. Brand, Emb. Muscovy to China, 59. Hereabouts are abundance of Lucerns and Sables, which are in great esteem among the Chineses.
1727. Bailey, vol. II., Lucern, a wild beast in Russia.
¶ 2. Used by Chapman for: A kind of hunting dog. (Cf. quot. c. 1611 in 1.)
1607. Chapman, Bussy d’Ambois, III. Dram. Wks. 1873, II. 43. Let me haue My lucerns too (or dogges inur’d to hunt Beasts of most rapine).
