Obs. Also 4–5 approwour, -ouour, -ouer. [a. Afr. apronour, OFr. *aprocor, f. aproer: see APPROVE v.2 In med.L. apruātor and approuātor; corrupt mod.L. approbātor. Ought to be written apprower.] One who looks after the profit or interest of an employer; or who manages land for the owner; a steward or bailiff; an agent in any business.
[1326. Act 1 Edw. III., II. viii. (Stat. Realm I. 256). Qils sount grevez par viscountes qi se fount nomer approuours le Roi. 1618 transl. in Pulton: That they be grieved by Sheriffes, naming themselues the King’s approuers.]
c. 1386. Chaucer, Friar’s T., 43. This false theef, this Somonour … Hadde alwey bawdes redy to his honde … They weren his approwours [v.r. apprououris, aprouers, approwers] priuely; He toke hym self a greet profit therby.
1691. Blount, Law Dict., s.v., Bailiffs of Lords in their Franchises are called their Approvers. Approvers of the King are those that have the letting of the King’s Demeans in small Mannors, to his best advantage.
1721. Bailey, Approvers in the Marches of Wales, were such as had Licenses to buy and sell Cattle into those parts.
1758. Month. Rev., 464. Wardens, or (as they were called) approvers…. Each in his county was almost usually the chief collector of the royal revenue.
