Obs. In 5 van-, 6 vawnewarde. [Reduced form of prec.: cf. VANGUARD. See also VAWARD.] = prec.
In reprints of 16th-cent. works vanward is sometimes substituted for vauward VAWARD, and the latter is perh. the correct reading of the MS. in quot. 1476.
1476. Paston Lett., III. 162. The Swechys … hathe slayne the most parte off hys vanwarde.
a. 1513. Fabyan, Chron., VI. (1516), 105 b/1. He than sette forthe his waye; commaundynge his vawnewarde to kepe their iourney towarde Paris.
