Obs. Also 4 -penage, -pernage. [a. OF. companage, -penage (in med.L. compānāgium, Pr. companatge):—late L. compānāticum, f. com- together with + pān-is bread: see -AGE. The corrupt form compernage occurs also in med.L. compernagium: see Spelman.] Whatever is eaten along with bread as an accompaniment or relish, e.g., butter, cheese, meat, fish, fruit, salad; = L. obsōnium, Sc. ‘kitchen.’
(It does not include drink, as wine, beer, milk.)
c. 1325. Pol. Songs (Camden 1839), 240. Thah he ȝeve hem cattes-dryt To huere companage.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. I. 19. Þese fewe litil fishes þat þei hadden to companage.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), I. 405. They haueþ growel to potage And a leke is skyn [MS. α a leke his kyn] to compernage [Caxton companage].
1679. Blount, Anc. Tenures, 153. Every two workmen had three Boon-loaves with Companage allowed them.
