sb. Obs. Forms: 6–7 feance(s, fya(u)nts, 7–8 fiant(e)s, 8 fuants. [a. OF. fient masc., fiente fem. dung (repr. popular L. types *femitum, -a, f. *femus, L. fimus dung), also fiens, pl. of fien, repr. L. fimum. The specialization of sense seems to be Eng.] The dung of certain animals, e.g., the badger, fox, etc. (see quots.).
1576. Turberv., Venerie, 184. The Badgerd pigges at comming out of the earth do commonly make and cast their fyaunts.
1630. J. Taylor (Water P.), Wks., I. 93/1. A Deeres Fewmets, a Bore, or a Beares Leasses, a Hare or Conneys Crottoyes, a Foxe or a Badgers Feance, and an Otters Spraintes.
1727. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Badger, One of them casts his Fiants long, like a Fox.
1737. Compl. Fam.-Piece, II. i. 297. The Hog-Badgers, where they have their Earths, use to cast their Fiants or Dung in a small Hole, and cover it.
Hence † Fiant v., of an animal: to cast its excrements; to dung. Obs.
1576. Turberv., Venerie, 184. They fyaunt within it [a hole] and hide it.
