? Obs. exc. dial. Also 6 -ley, 6–8 -lie, -ly, 7–8 -lee. [f. CHAMBER sb. + LYE. (Cf. Ger. Kammerlauge in Grimm.) Urine; esp. as used for washing, etc.
1577. B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., III. (1586), 135 b. Take Chamberly, and Salte, and seeth them to gether, and washe the places where the skinne is cut of.
1596. Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., II. i. 23. Your Chamber-lye breeds Fleas like a Loach.
1660. Sharrock, Vegetables, 91. I have seen half the Trees in a Codling-hedge killed, by watering them over-much with Chamber-lye.
1664. Cotton, Poet. Wks. (1765), 51. She … wash’d her hands in Chamber-lee.
1713. Lond. & Country Brewer, IV. (1743), 296. That nasty, horrid, and detestable Piece of Cunning and Knavery … commonly practised in a certain famous Metropolis of putting Chamberlye, or human Urine, into their pale or Amber Twopenny Malt Drink.
c. 1842. Lance, Cottage Farmer, 7. Refuse water from the house, particularly soap-suds, (which contain potash), chamberlye, [etc.].
1877. Holderness Gloss. (E. D. S.), Chaymerly, urine. Formerly preserved in tubs, for washing, to soften the water and save soap.
