Obs. Forms: 4 waier, wayer(e, wayh(o)ur, 4–5 wayour, 5 wayor, -owre, wayȝowr, wayir, wayr, 5–6 wayre. [a. AF. wayour (Britton) = OF. gayoir, f. waer, gaer (mod.F. guéer) to bathe (a horse) in a pond or stream.] A horse-pond.
1310. Bridgwater Corp. MSS., No. 833. Sicut itur versus le West Wayhur.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. Wace, 11186. Siþen in wayers to watre & wasche, Sythen to wype, & to mangers teye [their steeds].
1374. Bridgwater Corp. MSS., No. 488. Iacentem in le longheyys eiusdem ville versus le Wayere.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 513/2. Wayowre, stondynge watyr [wayowr, or wayȝowr, water P.], piscina.
c. 1450. Burgh, Secrees, 1877. Slepyng wayours, watrys incertayn, Salt, bittir, and fumous.
c. 1475. Pict. Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 800/15. Hec pissina, a wayir.
1488. Maldon (Essex) Liber B, fol. 39. They come to the townes ende at the wayour.
1530. Palsgr., 286/1. Wayre where water is holde, gort.
