Obs. Forms: 4 beau sir(e, 5 bawshere, besher, bewsher(e, 6 beaw schirre, bew schyre, bew schirre. See also BELSIRE. [a. F. beau fair, sire sir, lord. In OF. bel sire, beau sire was a general form of respectful address: see BEAU, BEAUPERE.] Fair sir, a form of address.
c. 1300. Beket, 768. Benu sire … thu spext as a fol.
c. 1340. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1222. ‘Nay, for soþe, beau sir,’ sayd þat swete.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, V. 1863. Beusher, who so euer þou be … Me meruellis of þi momlyng.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst. 66. Be stylle, beshers. Ibid., 69. Welcom, bawshere. Ibid., 241. Thou shalle abak, bewshere.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, IX. Prol. 79. Sa faris with me bew schirris.
