Obs. Forms: 4 fermyson, -soun, 5 fermeson. [a. AF. fermyson, OF. fermeyson, fermoyson:—L. firmātiōn-em, n. of action f. firmāre, in med.L. to close (F. fermer).]
1. A close-time for the male deer. attrib.
[1248. Foot of Fines (Record Office), co. Stafford, Quod Hugo et heredes sui … quolibet anno possint capere in predicto parco unam damam in fermisona inter festum Sancti Martini et Purificationem Beatæ Mariæ et unum damum in pinguedine inter festum Sanctæ Crucis in Mayo et festum Sanctæ Crucis in Septembri.
c. 1325. Gloss. W. de Biblesw., in Wright, Voc., 174.
| Assez par my la mesoun | |
| De treste du fermeyson. | |
| [Eng. Gloss., taken of gres tyme].] |
c. 1340. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1156.
| For þe fre lorde hade de-fende in fermysoun tyme | |
| Þat þer schulde no mon mene to þe male dere. |
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 180. Fflesch fluriste of fermysone.
2. A place where deer were kept.
c. 1420. Anturs of Arth. (Camden), i. By fermesones by frythys, and felles.
