Obs. exc. Hist. Also 7 staffett, staffeto. [ad. It. staffetta, dim. of staffa, stirrup. Cf. ESTAFETTE.] A mounted courier.
1545. Wotton, in St. Papers Hen. VIII., X. 487. I have written thryse to you, twyse by the ordynarye staffette that goith weekelye to Andwerpe.
1633. Cal. St. Papers, Dom., 28 Jan., 521. [Orders … to erect] staffette [or packet posts at fit stages]. Ibid., April, 39. [That letters should be sent by] staffeto.
1635. in Rep. Secret Comm. Post-Office, App. (1844), 55. A Proposition for setling of Staffets or pacquet posts betwixt London and all parts of his Maiesties dominions.
1714. Lond. Gaz., No. 5263/2. We have Advices from Vienna which say, that a Staffette was arrived there with Letters from Constantinople.
1858. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., IV. v. (1865), I. 307. Brief weekly report to his Majesty will be expected; staffettes, should cases of hot haste occur.
