Obs. Forms: 4–5 arsoun, 5 -oune, -own, -un, 6–7 arzon, 5–7 arson. [a. OF. arçun, arzon (also archon), cogn. with Sp. arzon, It. arcione:—late L. arciōn-em, f. arcus bow. Cf. ARCHON sb.1]
1. A saddle-bow; a name given to two curved pieces of wood or metal, one of which was fixed to the front of the saddle, and another behind, to give the rider greater security in his seat.
c. 1325. Cœur de L., 5539. Both hys arsouns weren off yren.
a. 1400. Octouian, 1040. Two bole-axys … In hys former arsun were y-honge.
c. 1450. Lonelich, Grail, xiv. 293. His body he toclaf … Evene to his sadelis arsown.
1557. K. Arthur (Copland), VI. vii. The arson of his sadel brake, and so he flewe ouer his hors tayle.
1598. Stow, Surv. (ed. Strype, 1754), II. V. xiv. 318/1. All his Arzons, i. e. Saddle bows that he makes.
1622. Mabbe, trans. Aleman’s Guzman d’Alf., 68. A Petronell hanging at the arson of his saddle.
2. Occas. used for: A saddle.
c. 1300. K. Alis., 4251. And leop himseolf in the arsoun.
c. 1460. Lybeaus Disc., 1613. Unnethe that he myghte sytte Upryght yn hys arsoun.
