Obs. Also 3 ferr cost, fare-, south. varecoste, 4 fercest, 7 fercost. [ad. ON. farkostr, f. far journey, ship + kostr means, condition (Da. and Sw. farkost).]
1. A kind of boat or ship.
1284. in Gilbert, Hist. & Mun. Doc., Ireland (Rolls), 190. De qualibet navi que vocatur Farecost 8d.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 24885 (Cott.). Þaa þat in þat ferr cost fard.
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 743.
| Wyghtly one þe wale thay wye up þaire ankers … | |
| In floynes and fercestez, and Flemesche schyppes. |
1455. Will of Rawlyn (Somerset Ho.). Dimidium vnius le Farecost vocat le Kateryn.
1597. Skene, De Verb. Sign., s.v. Fercosia, Ane Fercost … is inferior in birth and quantity to ane schip. Ibid. (1609), Reg. Maj., Stat. Alex. II., 19 Anie schip or fercost, or other veschell.
2. Condition, welfare; pl. circumstances.
c. 1205. Lay., 30735. Brien hine gon fræine of his fare-coste. Ibid., 32028. Vnder þissen uare-coste he sumnede ferde.
