Forms: 6–8 ferrier, farriar, (7 farrior, -yer), 6– farrier. [a. OF. ferrier:—L. ferrārius, f. ferr-um iron, in med.L. (often ferrus) horseshoe.
The synonym FERROUR, current in Eng. in 14–16th c., is a different formation.]
1. One who shoes horses; a shoeing-smith; hence, also one who treats the diseases of horses.
1562. Act 5 Eliz., c. 4 § 3. The … Crafts … of … Smiths, Farriers.
1622. F. Markham, Bk. War, V. ii. § 6, 168. An excellent Smith, or Farryer, who shall euer be furnished with Horseshooes, nayles, and drugges, both for inward and outward applycations.
1718. Quincy, Compl. Disp., 80. Essential Oil is much in use amongst our Farriers.
1751. Smollett, Per. Pic. (1779), I. xvii. 146. Blacksmith and ferrier.
1821. Scott, Kenilw., x. The light stroke of a hammer as when a farrier is at work.
1871. Yeats, Techn. Hist. Comm., 178. Farriers or shoeing smiths appeared first in Germany.
2. An official who has care of the horses in a cavalry regiment. Also Farrier-major, Corporal-, serjeant-farrier.
1832. Regal. Instr. Cavalry, III. 60. The Farriers and Band fall out.
1844. Regul. & Ord. Army, 373. The Troop Farrier is carefully to examine each foot of every Horse. Ibid. (1868), ¶ 317. The Farrier Major is liable to be reduced for misconduct to the rank and pay of Farrier. Ibid. (1885), 279. Serjeant-farriers at home (including corporal-farriers of the Household Cavalry) are required to train men to become efficient as shoeing smiths. Ibid., 281. The services of the farrier quartermaster-serjeant are to be placed entirely at the disposal of the veterinary surgeon.
† 3. With sb. prefixed, as sergeant- yeoman-farrier = FERROUR 3. Obs.
1647. Haward, Crown Rev., 33. Three Yeomen ferriers.
1711. Lond. Gaz., No. 4791/4. John Willis, late Sergeant-Farrier.
4. Comb., as farrier-like adj.
1809. Med. Jrml., XXI. 308. Relieving them [strictures] in some scientific way; not by the Farrier-like … methods too commonly practiced.
