Obs. Forms: 4 conteckour, -tekour, -tecour, -takkour, -takeur, 5 contacowre, 6 contecker. [ME. conteckour, a. AF. contekour = f. contekier, to CONTECK. (Hence app. contackerous, CANTANKEROUS.)] One who contends at law, or is at strife or discord; a quarrelsome contentious person, etc.
c. 1300. Beket, 196. Aȝen the proute conteckours that wolde aȝen him oȝt do.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 328. Þise contekours whidere þei assigned a stede þat es, & þer þei com togidere & mak a sikernes.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), IV. 209. Iulius was i-slawe with swerdes of comoun contakkours [Lat. gladiatorum capulis; v. r. contakeurs, contekkers or brawlers, ed. 1527 conteckers].
1389. in Eng. Gilds (1870), 4. Any riotour oþer contekour.
c. 1450. ABC, 36, in Q. Eliz. Acad., 66. A Coward, And Contacowre, manhod is þe mene.
