Obs. exc. Hist. Forms: Pl. 4–5 iambeaus, -beux, -bieux, 5 iaumbeuxe, 6 giambeux, 7–9 jambeux, -beaux. [In form repr. AF. *jambeau deriv. of jambe leg.] A piece of armor for the leg; pl. leggings; a pair of jambes.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 5615. Be ys iambeaus forþ he swarf & ys oþer spore þanne he carf, Adoun riȝt by the hele.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Sir Thopas, 164. Hise Iambeux [so 3 texts; Cambr. Iambieux, Petw. Iaumbeuxe, Corp. & Lansd. Iambes] were of qwyrboilly, His swerdes shethe of Yuory.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., II. vi. 29. A large purple streme adowne their giambeux falles.
1700. Dryden, Palamon & Arcite, III. 35. With jambeux arm’d, and double plates of steel.
