Now arch. Also 5 (9) vauntelay. [f. VAUNT- + -lay as in RELAY sb. The compound may have existed in AF. Cf. VANLAY v.] The releasing or setting on of a relay of hounds before the other pursuing hounds have passed; the relay of hounds so released.
1486. Bk. St. Albans, E viij b. Even at his comyng yf thow lett thy howndys goo While the oder that be behynde fer arn hym froo That is a vauntelay.
1616. Bullokar, Eng. Expos., Vauntlay, a terme of hunting, when they sette hounds in readynes, where they thinke a chace will passe, and cast them off before the rest of the kennell come in. [Hence in Blount (1656), Phillips, Holme, etc.]
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Vauntlay, Hounds or Beagles set in readiness [etc.].
1842. Sir H. Taylor, Edwin the Fair, I. vi. She holds them all together; Relay or vauntlay ’tis the same to her.
