Forms: 5 wardun, -one, -oun, -ane, 5–6 wardyn (6 -in), 5–7 wardon, 6 wardayne, -eine, -eyne, 5– warden. [Of obscure origin.
Perh. a. AF. *wardon f. ward-er = F. garder to keep. Palsgrave, 1530, renders wardon by poire de garde (= keeping pear). As the arms of Wardon or Warden Abbey (Beds) were ‘Argent, three warden pears or,’ it has been conjectured that the pear derived its name from the abbey. There can be little doubt, however, that the arms were devised with punning intention.]
An old variety of baking pear. Also pear warden (see PEAR sb. 5).
a. 1400. Pistill of Susan, 99. With wardons winlich and walshe notes newe.
c. 1430. Lydg., Min. Poems (Percy Soc.), 15. The frutis wiche more comon be, Quenyngez, pechis, costardes, etiam wardons.
1481–90. Howard Househ. Bks. (Roxb.), 464. My Lord paid to a woman that browght wardones xij.d.
1523–34. Fitzherb., Husb., § 137. After saynt Valentynes daye; it is tyme to graffe bothe peares and wardens.
1542. Boorde, Dyetary, xxvii. (1870), 291. Vse to eate stued or baken wardens, yf they can be goten.
1612. Beaum. & Fl., Cupid’s Rev., II. Dori. Faith I would have had him rosted like a warden in brown paper, and no more talk on’t.
1653. W. J., True Gentlew. Delight, 84. To make a Tart of Wardens. You must first Bake your Wardens in a pot, then [etc.].
1687. Sedley, Bellamira, III. i. 24. She looks like a Warden Roasted in the Embers.
1764. Museum Rust., II. 56. Pears … Perkinson Wardens.
1802. Forsyth, Fruit-Trees, 93. Pears … Spanish Red Warden.
1860. Hogg, Fruit Man., 170. Black Worcester (Parkinson’s Warden; Pound Pear).
b. attrib. and Comb., as warden-pear, -pie, -tree.
138[?]. Anc. Deed, A. 9011 (P.R.O.). *Wardon peryz.
1635. Markham, Eng. Husbandm., I. II. i. 122. Your stone-Peare, Warden-Peare, and Choake-Peare [are] those which endure longest.
1579. in Narratives Reform. (Camden), 34. He sayd his stomache was gonne from all meate excepte it wer a *warden pye.
1611. Shaks., Wint. T., IV. iii. 48. I must haue Saffron to colour the Warden Pies.
1841. Barham, Ingol. Leg., Nelly Cook, 88. And a Warden-pie’s a dainty dish to mortify withal.
14[?]. Metr. Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 629/7. *Wardentre, uolemus.
1523–34. Fitzherb., Husb., § 137. The sappe commeth sooner … in-to the peare-tree and warden-tree, thanne in-to the apple tree.
1630. Dekker, 2nd Pt. Honest Wh., F 3 b. The 4th man I hold my life, is grafting your Warden tree.
