Obs. exc. Hist. Forms: 5 aueyner, 5–8 avener, 7 avenor, -our, -ar, (9 aveynor). [a. OF. avenier, avener, oat-merchant:—L. adj. avēnārius pertaining to oats.] A chief officer of the stable, who had charge of the provender for the horses.
[1282. Petit. in Tower Lond. Sive Accipitrariorum, sive falconariorum, sive Avenariorum.]
a. 1400. in Wright, Voc., 176. Abatis, avener.
c. 1460. Bk. Curtasye, in Babees Bk. (1868), 305. Þe Aueyner schalle ordeyn prouande … For þo lordys horsis.
1576. Exp., in Nichols, Progr. Q. Eliz., II. 51. The Avener, equiries and all others of the stable.
1671. F. Philipps, Reg. Necess., 223. The Equirries and Avenors.
1727. Hist. Reg., Chron. Diary, 26. Appointed Avener and Clerk Martial to the King.
1861. Eng. Home, 80. He gave to the aveynor the coarse lentil bread baked for that purpose.
