Obs. [app. AN. form of OF. çoche mod. F. souche, Norman-Picard chouque (whence dim. chouquet): of unknown origin. Not known in real English use as an ordinary sb.; survives in the town-name of Ashby-de-la-Zouch (Leicestershire).] A tree stump.
[1220. Close Rolls 4 Hen. III., memb. 10 (1833), I. 418/1. De auxilio faciendo burgensibus Salop. de veteribus zuchis & de mortuo bosco.
1223. Plac, Forest. in Com. Nott. (Cowell, 1672). Omnes Zuches aridos qui Anglice vocantur stovenes infra Haiam nostram de Beskewood [now Bestwood].
1358. Patent Rolls 32 Edw. III., memb. 5 (1911), I. 59. [Grant to Richard de la Vache, steward of the forest of Shirewod, of all logs (ligna) called] zouches in Beskwode.
1672. Cowell, Interpr., Zuche, zucheus, stips siccus & aridus, A withered or dry stock of wood.
1676. Coles, Dict., Zuche, Stovene, a withered or dry stock of wood.
