Forms: 6 buttris, 6, 8 buttrice, 7 buttresse, butterys(se, 7–8 buttress, 7– butteris. [Cf. BUTTER sb.2, F. boutoir; also F. boutereau, bouterolle, names of instruments used in various trades for punching or boring. The precise formation of the Eng. word is unknown.] A farrier’s tool for paring a horse’s hoofs.
1573. Tusser, Husb. (1878), 36. A buttrice and pincers, a hammer and naile.
1591. Percivall, Sp. Dict., Pujavante, a smithes buttris, scaber.
1617. Markham, Caval., IV. 9. With a fine sharpe Butteris or pairing knife, pare the hoofe of the Foale.
1611. Cotgr., Boutoir, a Farriers Buttresse.
1781. P. Beckford, Hunting (1802), 348, note. That destructive instrument called the butteris … should be banished for ever.
1831. Youatt, Horse (1853), 120. The formidable butteris is still often found in the smithy of the country farrier, although it is banished from the practice of every respectable operator.
