Obs. [a. 16th c. F. couleur de roy ‘king’s colour.’] See quot. 1611.
1539. Ld. Treas. Acc. Sc., in Pitcairn, Crim. Trials, I. 298*. xxiiij elnes of colourderoy to be þame coitis.
1543. Aberd. Reg., v. 18 (Jam.). Ane gown of colour-de-roy.
1602. Marston, Antonio’s Rev., I. iii. B 2. His nose is iust colour de Roy.
1611. Cotgr., Couleur de Roy, was in old time Purple; but now is the bright Tawnie, which wee also tearme, Colour de Roy.
